Cabbage and Carrot Thoran

Kerala Sadya cannot go without 'Thorans', especially cabbage thoran. Any kerala'Thoran'  is mostly a steamed side dish with coconut in which the vegetables used, retains its colour and freshness as its not overcooked and is sure shot a very healthy, nutritious and time saving recipe.

Thoran can be prepared using Cabbage and carrot, cabbage and peas, french beans, Ivy Gourd or Little Gourd(Kovakkai in Malayalam, Kunduru in Hindi), Cheera( red coloured Amarnath) etc.

Here I would like to share with you all the Cabbage and Carrot thoran I had prepared other day. It tasted good so thought will post this for all my friends.

 

Ingredients                                                        Quantity                                                               

Carrots                                                                       : 1 big one
Shredded Cabbage                                                 :  Half of a medium sized cabbage
Grated Coconut                                                      :  1 Cup
Sliced Shallots (Kunjulli/Pearl Onions)       : 1/2 cup
Slit Green/Red Chillies                                        : 1 (As required)
Turmeric                                                                   : 1/4 tsp
Salt                                                                              : As Required

For seasoning :

Oil                                                                              : 1 tbsp
Mustard Seeds                                                      :  1/2 tsp

Urad dal                                                                   :   1 tsp
Dry red chilli                                                          :  2
Chopped shallots                                                  :  1tsp
Curry Leaves                                                          :  few


Preparation Method                                                                                                                                             

• Grate the carrot using a grater. or you can even chop them into small uniform pieces.
• Mix the carrots with the shredded cabbage very well.
• Heat the oil  in a wok/pan on a medium flame, splutter mustard seeds, add chopped shallots ,chopped green chillies, curry leaves  and pinch of salt.
• Saute for few minutes till the rawness of the onions are gone.
• Add the shredded cabbage and carrot mix.  Mix well and saute for 2 minutes.Lower the flame and cover the pan
• Meanwhile crush the grated fresh coconut with turmeric.(You can even grind it coarsely)
• Add the crushed coconut to the cabbage and carrot mix , add salt as required and mix everything properly.
• Lower the flame and cover the pan and let it cook it for 8-10 minutes by occasionally stirring it in between.
• Remove the lid and stir again for 2-3 mins. Remove it from stove.
• Take a small tadka pan. Heat 1/2 tsp oil and add Urad dal, dry chilli, 1 tsp shallots and curry leaves.
• Saute for 2-3 mins till the shallots turn light brown . Now pour this onto the cooked cabbage and carrot thoran and immediately cover it with a lid, so the thoran absorb the aroma of the seasoning.

Mix well and serve as a side dish with rice.

Note: 

• This dish needs to be steam cooked. No need to add water.
• You can add the Urad at the start itself after spluttering the mustard, but since I love the crunchy taste of fried urad dal hence I add it after cooking Cabbage and carrot,as I don't like it to be cooked along with other ingredients.
• You can also use garlic, crush/ grind them coconut and add it to the Cabbage and carrot thoran. It gives a altogether different taste.