Cabbage Thoran

Cabbage Thoran

Such a universal keralite side dish, in Kerala practically every vegetable can be turned into a thoran just because of the abundance of coconuts all around the state.

But also makes every vegetable simple delectable I remember one of my aunt's in Kerala use to make okra thoran which tasted good of course it was loaded up

with shallots and grated coconut. I like the thorans , but by far the one that tops the list will be the cabbage thoran also because my brother loves this thoran

goes great with fried fish and Moru curry.

In India my neighbor who lived next door to us was a fantastic cook and the way she sliced cabbage was a sight in itself, most common way to chop the vegetable down south was and is to use a finger glove to protect ur finger which still gets bruised at the end of the ordeal

Cutting by holding the vegetable in ur hand which needs a talent not everybody can do it but sure with some practice and cuts u will get there and not using the chopping board, but the product was amazingly fine and small.

Coming to the US I was surprised when I walked through the grocery store aisles especially the produce, that cabbages are available in so many varieties, the usual one the green cabbage that we get in India then the red cabbage more like a purple red which I not a big fan of then who can forget the lil' version called Brussels sprouts.

A whole lot to choose from, I have tried all of them Brussels sprouts do taste a little different than the regular green cabbage and good too.

Now to the recipe which is a super simple and easy dish to make,

what u need

Cabbage 1/2 chopped fine

Grated Coconut 1/4 cup

Shallots 1-2 chopped

Ginger 1/2 inch grated

Green chillis chopped 1-2

Curry leaves 1 spring

Mustard seeds 1 teaspoon

Oil to cook 1-2 teaspoon

Salt to taste

Heat a non stick pan , add oil to the pan , after a few minutes add mustard seeds when they start to pop, add the chopped shallots, ginger, green chillis and curry leaves , and sauté for a few minutes.

Add the chopped cabbage and the grated coconut together sauté add salt as needed let it cook for 10 minutes

In between keep stirring the pan to avoid the thoran getting burnt. Once the cabbage looks translucent u can switch the heat off

I like to cook it a little more to brown the cabbage just a tiny bit adds flavor to the dish.

Serve with rice or rotis too.

Merry Christmas & happy new year

It's the most wonderful time of the year
With the kids jingle belling and everyone telling you
"Be of good cheer"
It's the most wonderful time of the year.

WISHING ALL OF YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS
 AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010!!
HOPE U ALL N! JOY THIS WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!

T

Moru Curry

Moru Curry is a traditional side dish at any keralite home , perfectly blends with chicken , fish , meat or vegetables, This dish is basically yogurt sauteed with mustard seeds and shallots, some variations of theses are by adding either mango, pineapple, raw bananas, white cucumber etc . The addition of veges just makes it more hardy and filling. I remember having this dish almost every few days but still was never bored of it , if nothing kalan or pulissery is always there which are the other names for this yummy dish.

This Year as Christmas is just around the corner the one thing we all look forward to is the warmth, and goodness, with our family and yes ! the yummy food. This dish was a regular side dish for all Christmas dinner's we had along with the family and still is .There are always the popular ones like chicken curry , beef olatheyadhe and pork vindaloo. Along all the other dishes are on the list I decided to share this one something simple and super easy still so tasty!! It perfectly complements the non-vegetarian dishes sort of adding a added comfort level to the dishes. What u need: 1 shallot chopped 5-6 red Chillies 1 teaspoonful garlic chopped ½ tea spoon Turmeric Powder ¼ tea spoon Methi (Uluva) Powder ¼ tea spoon Cumin (jeera) Powder 2½ cup Yogurt (Curd) salt, oil, mustard seeds, and curry leaves. Heat oil in a deep set pan add mustard seeds , red chillies, garlic curry leaves and chopped shallots. Stir for a while and then add the turmeric powder, methi powder, cumin powder and salt. Now add some water. Cover it and cook for some time. When cooked well, switch off the stove, and after a while add the whipped yogurt to it, stir well. add the whipped yogurt gently in to the pan with stirring it . Add salt in the end with constant stirring . U can also add coconut milk for a rich flavor . Other options also include adding cooked cub sized veges like white cucumber, raw banana or pineapple too. Enjoy with rice !!