Gobi masala/cabbage masala

Recently I have posted cabbage peas curry. One more cabbage recipe, cooked in a different way. This is something which tastes little different than other cabbage curries. The difference being that instead of adding various masalas or another vegetable, besan is added, which gives a very different flavour. It's worth a try, especially for those who do not like the smell of cabbage.

Ingredients:
Cabbage - 1/2 chopped
Onion - 1 chopped lengthwise
Besan/gramflour - 1/4 cup
Urad dal - 1 Tsp
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
Garam masala - 1 tsp
Chilli powder - 1 tsp
Turmeric - 1/4 tsp
Salt and oil as required


Steps:
1. Heat oil in a pan, add the mustard seeds.
2. When the mustard seeds splutter, add urad dal and cumin seeds and saute for a minute.
3. Add the onion and fry till the onion are cooked.
4. Once the onions turn brown in color, add garam masala, chilli powder, turmeric and salt.
5. Saute till the masalas are cooked well and then add the cabbage.
6. Saute the cabbage for 5 minutes at frequent intervals.
7. Sprinkle little besan at a time and saute well for another 4 minutes.
8. Pour little water and let the cabbage cook.
9. Saute the cabbage at regular intervals till its cooked well.
Serve hot with roti or rice.

Tip: You can skip the water part and saute for some more time to get a crunchier cabbage masala. Tastes good both the ways.


Healthy Quotient:
Cabbage is the best vegetable to eat if you are on a weight loss diet. The reason being very calories and less fat as compared to other vegetables. Now we know why they call it, dieter's friend.

Potato Cabbage kofta curry

I thought this was a very difficult recipe, until i made it today. It's one of the easiest dishes which many of us are not aware of. Once the koftas are made, the curry is ready in a jiffy. Amazing, isnt it... I have made a simpler version of the kofta curry, which is tasty and at the same time is not overly 'rich'. You dont need a special occassion to make this kofta curry. All the ingredients will be available in your kitchen.

Ingredients:

For Kofta:

Cabbage - 1/2 finely chopped/grated

Potatoes - 1 big boiled and smashed

Besan/gram flour - 1 Tbsp

Red chilly powder - 1 tsp

Salt and oil as required

For Gravy:
Curd - 1/2 cup
Onions - 1 finely chopped
Tomato - 1 finely chopped or pureed
Cumin seeds/jeera - 1 tsp
Coriander power - 1 tsp
Chilly powder - 2 tsps
Garam masala(optional)
Salt and oil as required.

Steps:

1. Boil the grated cabbage in water. Add little salt and water should be just enough till it covers the cabbage. Remove from heat once the cabbage is soft, this will take appx. 5-7 minutes.

2। Filter the cabbage using a colander and transfer the cabbage to a muslin cloth. Squeeze out to remove the excess water.

3. In a bowl, add the cabbage, potato, salt and chilly powder and mix well. Sprinkle the besan little at a time and mix well. You can make round koftas and place it on a plate.

4. Heat oil in a kadhai, and fry the koftas till they turn brown. Place the koftas in a tissue paper to soak excess oil.

5. In a pan, add little oil and the cumin seeds. Saute for a minute and add the onions.

6. Once the onions turn brown, add tomatoes and saute for 2 minutes.

7. Add chilly powder, coriander powder, garam masala(optional) and saute till the raw smell goes.

8. Pour 2 cups water and let it boil.

9. Beat the curd and pour it when the water is boiling. Stir well for a minute.

10. Add the koftas and let the curry simmer for few minutes.

11. Remove from heat once the koftas are soaked well in the curry.

Serve hot with roti, puri or naan.

Health Quotient:

Cabbage and potaoes together have all the nutrients required for maintaining optimal health. If potatoes add weight, cabbage negates it, as it is a very good vegetable for weight loss. This is one good combination you can try anytime. Try these as a vegetable curry, or make a aloo gobi paratha, if nothing else works, then atleast try these as koftas. Bet you'll love these as much as I do.

Spicy Mushroom masala / Kaalan masala

Many people consider mushroom as a non vegetarian food. No matter how much you convince them, they will not indulge this healthy treat. For those who consider mushrooms as non vegetarian food, I suggest a simple search in wikipedia on mushrooms. People who relish this can go ahead to the mushroom masala recipe...

Wisdom stands at the turn in the road and calls upon us publicly, but we consider it false and despise its adherents. - Kahlil Gibran

Ingredients:
1 pack Mushroom - 500 gms appx
Onion - 1 cut lengthwise
Tomato - 1 medium sized
Garlic - 5 pods crushed

Masalas:
Coriander Powder
Turmeric Powder
Chilly Powder
Chicken masala
Salt and oil as required

Steps:
1. Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds and urad dal and let it splutter.
2. Add crushed garlic and saute till it turns light brown. Add onions and fry for 5-7 minutes.
3. Now add the tomato and stir well. Add mushrooms and saute for 5 minutes. Cover it with a lid for another 3 minutes on low flame.
4. Add the masalas and salt and stir until the raw smell goes.
5. Add a cup of water and stir well. Cover with the lid for 5 minutes or till the mushrooms are cooked.

Serve hot with roti or chappati.

Health Quotient:
Mushrooms are very low in saturated fat and contain no cholestrol. Have a good amount of dietary fiber, iron, Vitamin C and zinc.

In 2009, a large case-control study of woman, revealed that women who consumed mushrooms had approximately 50% lower incidence of breast cancer, while those who consumed mushrooms and green tea had a 90% lower incidence.
Source : wikipedia