Name: Stir-Fried Cabbage with Turmeric
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 18 min
Yield: 2
Ingredients: 1 tbsp oil; 2 cm ginger; 1 shallot(s); 1 garlic clove(s); 0.5 tsp mustard seeds; 1 curry leaves stalk(s); 2 chilli peppers (dried); 1 carrot(s); 0.5 white cabbage; 1 tsp turmeric powder; 3 tbsp water; 0.5 tsp salt

Turmeric cabbage is a simple stir-fry vegetable dish which is often available in the Indian cuisine. The addition of mustard seeds not only add flavours but also enhances this delightful golden yellow cabbage dish in taste and presentation.

Stir-fried cabbage is a vegetable dish which goes very well with curries and fritters. This is one of my favourite stir-fry vegetable dishes especially at South Indian eateries. As it is, cabbage does not have much flavours. It easily absorbs the tasty flavours of the spices that are cooked together with it. Stir-fried cabbage blends well with the varieties of curry and well spiced dishes.

Turmeric cabbage is so easy and fast to prepare making it a suitable weekday recipe for after work.

3 important tips

While the recipe may appear to be extremely easy but there are a few tips you need to adhere to. Go through them before you start cooking because the cooking process is so fast that it is impossible to correct the steps should there be any mistake.

1. Temper spices before use

The process of tempering refers to the process of sautéing spices in oil over medium heat to release their flavours. In this recipe, mustard seeds, dried chillies and curry leaves are tempered at the beginning of the cooking process. The colour of the spices such as turmeric powder or dried chillies will change to indicate that they are ready for use. Mustard seeds on the other hand will start popping while they are being tempered. Be careful to avoid burning the spices or you will have to start all over again.

2. Cook cabbage with the spices thoroughly

Cabbage does not have much flavours but it easily absorbs the flavours of the accompanying ingredients. Therefore, allow cabbage to simmer along with the spices until it is fully cooked. If the gravy dries up too quickly, the heat used might be too high. Reduce the heat, add hot water into the pan and allow the dish to continue simmering.

3. Add salt shortly before serving

The recipes calls for the use of a variety of spices. While the spices contribute different flavours to the dish, salt is still needed to enhance its taste. To retain the moist, add salt only when the cabbage is cooked. The taste of salt will be more concentrated when added towards the end compared to at the beginning. Remember to stir well after adding the salt.

Enjoy stir fried turmeric cabbage with plain white rice or 'roti'.