Keralan Cabbage Thoran

Ingredient

For the paste;

• 120gm grated fresh coconut (or desiccated coconut)
• 1 tsp coarsely crushed cumin seeds
• 4 garlic cloves roughly chopped
• 1 green chilli

To cook the Thoran;

• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 800gm white cabbage finely shredded
• 2 tsp black mustard seeds
• 1 mild dried red chilli halved
• 100gms onion finely chopped
• 12 fresh curry leaves
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• Salt to taste
• 2 tbsp coriander for garnish roughly chopped

Method

1. Add the paste ingredients to a blender with 100 mls water and blitz to a smooth fine paste. Set aside.
2. Heat a large heavy bottom saucepan on medium heat. Add the mustard seeds letting them splutter for 3-5 seconds. Add the dried chilli and follow by the chopped onions. Stir and fry for a 1minute. Now add half the curry leaves and continue to fry for 5 minutes as the onions begin to soften.
3. Add the turmeric powder and stir well. Add the shredded cabbage a little at a time, season to taste and mix to coat it with the spice mix. 
4. Cook the cabbage over a low heat with a lid on. Make sure to stir halfway through the cooking.
5. Now add the coconut paste and continue to cook for 2 minutes with a lid on. Turn the heat off and garnish with the remaining curry leaves and fresh coriander