A tasty cabbage rice spiced with garam masala and turmeric. It comes together in minutes and makes an effortless weeknight meal.
Given how much Desi and I love our veggies, I never miss an opportunity to use them in almost everything I cook. I fold them into parathas, add them to curries, stir them into pilafs, and they never-- ever-- let my tastebuds down, adding a nutritious and delicious wallop to just about everything.
The Cabbage Rice I have for you today is a wonderful recipe to spice up plain old rice on a weekday with minimum effort. All the labor needed here is to shred the cabbage, and even that can be done in a jiffy if you happen to have a handy food processor around. The only spices used are ones you likely already have on your spice rack-- garam masala, turmeric, and chilli powder.
Most of the cabbage rice recipes I've come across usually cook the rice and cabbage separately and then mix them up, but honestly, who wants to be bothered with all the extra time that takes, not to mention the extra pots and pans? My cabbage rice is a one-pot meal and what's better, the rice and cabbage cook together in the same time to melting, delicious tenderness. All you need is a little tofu yogurt, a crispy, crackling papad, and some mango pickle, and you're set for bliss.
Here's the recipe. Enjoy, all!
More recipes to try:
Cabbage Rice
Ingredients
- 3 cups cabbage (finely shredded. Measure after shredding)
- 1 ½ cups long-grain rice (like basmati)
- 1 large onion (thinly sliced)
- 2 tomatoes (finely chopped)
- 2 sprigs curry leaves
- 1 inch knob ginger (grated)
- 2 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 3 cups water
- 2 teaspoon garam masala
- ½ teaspoon cayenne
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large saucepan.
- Add the onions and saute them until they turn transparent.
- Add the ginger and curry leaves and stir, about 30 seconds.
- Add the tomatoes and the spice powders. Mix well and allow it to cook until the oil starts to separate.
- Add the cabbage and saute until the cabbage starts to soften, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the rice and stir well to mix for about 2 minutes.
- Add the water and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat to a simmer, place a tight lid over the saucepan, and allow the rice to cook, undisturbed, for 15 minutes.
- Let the rice stand at least 15 minutes without removing the lid after you turn off the heat.
- Garnish with some shredded coconut and coriander leaves, if desired, and spritz a little lemon juice.
mindhaven
I tried this at home last week, combining it with cucumber raita and chickpeas curry (my husband won't do without a curry!)....it was absolutely marvelous, no one even guessed that there was cabbage in the rice! thanks so much for the lovely recipe.
Amatuer Cook
"I love animals, and I love great food. But I don't care to mix the two."
WELL SAID!!!
Supriya
Hi Vaishali - Thanks for this tasty and easy cabbage rice. I made it as part of my Thanksgiving menu, it turned out so well and was loved by all. A keeper for me.
KamalKitchen
hi there,
Have always used cabbage in a chinese fried rice but never with indian spices..this is a must try.
thanks,
pb
thisamericandiet
Just stumbled upon your blog. LOVE IT. So much useful information for vegans! Not to mention delicious recipes. Thanks!
Samarpita
Update: I tried it tonight. Came out really well. A keeper. I stir-fried some peanuts and added when serving to give it a bit of crunch. We had ours with some freshly made guacamole and pickle. Thanks for the great recipe.
Pavani
Love the first picture with the steam. never cooked cabbage & rice together. Will have to try your version soon. Enjoy ur weekend.
Vaishali
Haymarket, Tiffany, Ameya, Swapna, Nithya: Thanks!
AMA, the spices give that great yellow color. I love adding turmeric to just about anything because it makes everything look great but more important, it's great for you.
Usha, Priya: Thanks!
Joyful, I agree that cabbage can be hard to like-- and it is not one of my top favorites among veggies either. But the wonderful thing about it is it cooks up so tender that it merges with almost anything without being too assertive- parathas, curries, pakoras...
Tibik, so glad you liked it. The pumpkin seeds sound like a wonderful idea 🙂
Vaishali, Kanchan, Thanks!
Samarpita, you're exactly right. I love tasting the flavor of the veggies without the dairy to mask it.
Sush, thanks. I try to keep recipes really simple for weeknights because I usually have no more than half an hour to 45 minutes to get things done. Those quick dishes -- literally invented on my feet-- often turn into my favorites. 🙂
Sush
The first picture is so very tempting. I make my cabbage rice in a different way. Your recipe looks more simple than mine 🙂
Kanchan
Loved you first snap .. with the distinct steam around !! Mast click.
vaishali
nice receipe!! will surely try your ingredients the next time i make cabbage rice.
Samarpita
Ah, now I know what to do with that lonely cabbage in the fridge. I agree whole heartedly with you that adding veggies to most of the things, improves the taste dramatically. One advantage of vegan food is the explosion of taste of pure veggies in the mouth, not masked by any dairy or anything.
Tibik
Hi Vaishali,
Thank you for the dinner inspiration.Some pumpkin seeds went into the pot too and it was delicious.
Tibik
Joyful
It looks delicious. Actually rice and cabbage are two of my least favourite things. But you make them look good 😉
Priya
Fabulous looking cabbage rice..makes me hungry..
Usha
Looks delicious ! Loved the pic with the steam rising from the rice....
AMA's AnythingVegetarian
Wow Looks very delicious.Actually my cabbage rice turns out green in color.I am surprised by the vibrant color.
Nithya
Steaming hot and yummy 🙂 They look just awesome and delicious 🙂
Swapna
Looks delicious. Have to try this out this weekend!
Ameya
Hot cabbage rice and pickle sounds perfect in this cold, rainy weather 🙂 It looks very tasty. You're right about veggies, I also add them to anything possible.
Tiffany
Wow, this looks like one delicious one-pot meal! Thanks for sharing!
HayMarket8
this looks very yummy! I love the color. The 1st picture is great, the steam coming off the bowl in so good!