Name: Cabbage Thoran with Coconut
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Cuisine: South Indian
Ingredients: 1 tbsp coconut oil; 1 tsp black mustard seeds; 1 tsp urad dal (optional); 10 curry leaves, fresh or dried; 1 small onion, finely chopped; 1-2 green chillies, finely chopped; 1/2 tsp ground turmeric; 500 g white cabbage, very finely shredded; 50 g fresh grated coconut, or 30 g desiccated coconut; Salt and black pepper

Recipes and photos are AI created and editorially reviewed. Nutrition figures are estimates.

A Keralan stir-fry of finely shredded cabbage with mustard seeds, curry leaves, green chilli and fresh coconut.

Side dish. Good with chicken curry, fish curry or tandoori chicken. Find a main

Cuisine: South Indian
Serves: 4
Prep: 10 min
Cook: 12 min
Total: 22 min
Difficulty: Easy

Gluten-freeDairy-freeEgg-freeNut-freeVegetarianVegan

Equipment: Large frying pan or wok

Ingredients

1 tbsp coconut oil
1 tsp black mustard seeds
10 curry leaves, fresh or dried
1 small onion, finely chopped
1-2 green chillies, finely chopped
1/2 tsp ground turmeric
500 g white cabbage, very finely shredded
50 g fresh grated coconut, or 30 g desiccated coconut (unsweetened shredded coconut)
Salt and black pepper

Optional extras

1 tsp urad dal

Method

Heat the coconut oil in a large frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add the mustard seeds and, once they start to pop, add the urad dal (if using) and curry leaves and stir for 20-30 seconds until the dal is golden.
Add the onion and green chillies and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
Stir in the turmeric, then add the cabbage and a good pinch of salt. Stir-fry for 5-6 minutes until the cabbage has wilted but still has a little bite.
Add the coconut and toss for 1-2 minutes until heated through and well mixed. Taste for salt and serve.

Swaps and tips

Shred the cabbage as finely as you can so it cooks quickly and stays slightly crisp. Fresh or frozen grated coconut is best, but desiccated works well; soak it in 2 tbsp warm water for 5 minutes first.

Easy variations

Use green beans or finely chopped kale instead of cabbage
Add a few finely chopped shallots instead of onion
Add a pinch of cumin seeds with the mustard seeds
Stir in a handful of peas at the end

Nutrition estimated, per serving

Protein	Carbs	Fibre	Fat	Calories
2 g	5 g	5 g	8 g	110 kcal

Values are estimates based on typical UK food composition data and will vary with brands and portion sizes.

Recipes are AI created and editorially reviewed; kitchen testing is ongoing.

Recipe from healthshelf.org

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Cabbage Thoran with Coconut