Cabbage with Split Bengal Gram (Cabbage Chana Dal/Senaga Pappu)

Indian Vegetarian Main Course Special

Andhra Cuisine 

Cabbage with Split Bengal Gram (Cabbage Chana Dal/Senaga Pappu)

Serves 2

Ingredients:

Cabbage (Band Gobi)- 3 Cups

Split Bengal Gram (Chana Dal)- 2 Tbsp.

Turmeric Powder (Haldi)- 1 Tsp.

Salt-To Taste

For Tempering (Tadka/Popu):

Urad Dal- 1/2 Tsp.

Cumin Seeds (Jeera)- 1/4 Tsp.

Mustard Seeds (Rai)- ¼ Tsp.

Cumin Seeds (Jeera)- ¼ Tsp.

Dried Red Chillies- 3-4, Broken

Asafoetida (Hing)- a Pinch

Fresh Curry Leaves- 5-6

Method:

Shred, Wash, Drain & Keep the Cabbage aside

Wash & Soak Chana Dal for about 2 Hours

ParBoil the Cabbage with Little Salt Covered on Low Flame in a Wide Non Stick Pan

ParBoil the Chana Dal with Little Salt in a Pressure Cooker till Tender

Keep the Cabbage Aside to Cool

Drain the Water from the Cabbage (Preferably with Hands)

In a Non Stick Pan, Add the Tempering Items in the Same Order as Mentioned & Saute till the Lentils Change Color on Low Flame

Add Drained Cabbage, ParBoiled Chana Dal, Turmeric Powder, Salt & Cook on Low Flame Covered for 3 Minutes

Turn the Flame to Medium & Keep Sauteing till the Consistency of the Vegetable & Dal is Dry

Served with Andhra Meal of Steamed Rice, Andhra Style Lentils (Pappu), Andhra Style Soup (Charu) or Vegetable Stew (Pulusu), Oora Mirapakayalu or Appadam, Set Curd
a Light Summery Andhra Meal usually has Cooling menu Items consisting of a Light Cleansing Soup, easy Summery Vegetable Preparation, can have Boiled Lentils, Buttermilk or Curd etc.

Tips:

There is no need add Oil/Water in the Cabbage while ParBoiling

To Avoid the Raw Smell of Cabbage, can Add Ginger

As per my Grandmother’s Recipe, the Chana Dal should be just Parboiled (Just Half Cooked)

Take extra care with the Chana Dal as it tends to OverCook along with the Cabbage. Technically the Chana Dal should be ¾ th Cooked so that the Dal can be Soft while Pressing with the Finger

In case of Less Time, the Cabbage & Chana Dal can be Boiled Together as well

This is one of the few Dishes that can be Prepared for any Age Group, any Illness without much Restrictions

Recently, in the Health News a Speculation doing the rounds strongly was that the Cabbage should not be mixed with Tomatoes or Consumed Raw to Avoid & Post Operative Care for few Ailments (like Kidney & Gall Stones)

Feel free to share your views & do let us know how this one turned out :)