A simple Cabbage Dish (Thoran/Poriyal)

 A simple Cabbage Dish (Thoran/Poriyal)

Ingredients:

Cabbage - 1/2 kg (finely diced or shredded)

Green Chillies - 3-4 nos (coarsely chopped)

Freshly Grated Coconut - 1 cup

Cumin Seeds (Jeera) - 1 table spoon

Turmeric Powder - 1/2 teaspoon (optional)

Mustard seeds - 1 teaspoon

Curry Leaves - 8-10 nos

Oil - 2 table spoons

Salt to taste

Method:


Take the diced cabbage in a large bowl.

Add the grated coconut, salt, green chillies, cumin, turmeric powder and mix well with your hand. Squish it a bit to bring out the juices of the coconut.

Rest the mixture for about 10 minutes. Taste the mixture and add more salt or chillies if needed.

In a wok or pan, heat the oil. 

Add the mustard seeds and let it splutter. Then add the curry leaves.Now add the cabbage mixture and mix well.

Close the pan and cook the mixture in low heat for about ten minutes.

Do not add water. The mixture will cook in its own juices. Stir every 2 to 3 minutes.


Additional tips


 The raw mixture of  grated coconut, salt, green chillies, cumin, turmeric powder can be had as a salad. You may add boiled peanuts/ peas and squeeze in half a lemon/orange and a spoon of sugar/honey, if required.

The Curry leaves can be diced instead of using as whole - which will lead to everyone eating it instead of keeping it aside.


For Non-Vegetarians - you can stir in two beaten eggs after making the dish and cook for a couple of minutes in high heat.

This dry side dish will go well with steamed rice, rotis and breads. You may mix it with Mayonnaise or Tomato sauce and  use as a filling for sandwiches.