Hindustan Times
Fooling around with cabbage
I’m feeling a little guilty today.
When I was browsing my blog recently, I saw some mails from readers who were either vegetarians or had spouses who were vegetarians.
And much as I am given to cooking and eating creatures of some description, I do whip up some vegetarian entrees. They aren’t exactly what you would call gourmet cooking, just my version of slapdash, quick - but inventive - food.
I do think it is important to create new food. How else did everything we eat come to be? 
Do remember that so much we take for granted here in India, was never a part of our cuisine: Potatoes and chillies, for instance
Quick quiz: Can you tell me where they came from and when?
Think about it.
Meanwhile, here’s a humble creation from my kitchen.
CABBAGE STIR FRY WITH PESTO SAUCE
For the sauce:
8-10 pine nuts
2 green chillies chopped
2 large flakes garlic
Olive oil
Salt to taste
Reduce all ingredients in a food processor. Store in a sealed jar and refrigerate if using later.
2 kashmiri mirch (chillies)
1 chopped cabbage
fresh rosemary (optional)
2 tsp galangal (Thai ginger), chopped fine (or ordinary ginger)
2 pods garlic, sliced
salt to taste
Put half a tbsp of olive oil (or sunflower oil) in a wok. When hot, stir fry galangal and garlic until light brown. Add broken chillies. Stir fry with white-wine vinegar, if available (if not, use oil or water or vodka). Stir in teaspoon of pesto sauce. Stir. Add cabbage, stir fry briefly. Garnish with fresh ground pepper and crushed rosemary.
It worked-at least my wife liked it, and I got a big, sunny smile from her. Ample reward.
(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
Loading ...
yummy wil try dis.
[Reply]
Just had boring old cabbage veggie for lunch…soo gonna go try this one…thanks for considering us vegeterians…
Btw, just thought would add this…quick stir fry mushrooms in fresh ground pepper, tobasco sauce and some freshly chopped green chillies in butter and add a dash of lime…amazing quick hunger fixer…especially in monsoons
[Reply]
Kushal Reply:
August 10th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
T, this sounds delicious. Thank you.
[Reply]
I don’t have much use for cabbage. But the stir fry above sounds delish!
Answer to potato question on my blog here, along with some potato ideas: http://foodtravelbangalore.wordpress.com/2009/06/12/potatoes-2-what-can-i-do-with/
Chillies if I am not mistaken are also S America, maybe 5000-6500 BC? Very very old food, unlike potatoes which are bachus in comparison. I know, it is unbelievable that we didn’t know what chillies were. I guess there’s something to thank the conquistadors for!
[Reply]
nice…..
[Reply]
That sounds different… must try this at home now.
Thanks
[Reply]
This one sounds different than the boring cabbage we have… must try it at home now
thanks
swati
[Reply]
Samar Halarnkar Reply:
August 18th, 2009 at 11:59 am
[Reply]
Goodmorning Samar,
I’m glad to have gone through this cabbage recipe today as I was racking my brains as to try out something different with cabbage.I’m hopeful we too will like it as ur wife.Thanks!
[Reply]
could I use any other nuts or apricot instead of pine nuts?
and can i use curry patta instead of rosemary?
[Reply]
Samar Halarnkar Reply:
August 21st, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Well, no harm in trying other nuts. I haven’t.
I am sure curry leaves will work quite well
[Reply]