Cabbage Parupu Usili

Paruppu Usili is a very popular South Indian side dish known by various names. Prepared using vegetables like French Beans, Cluster Beans, Flat Beans, Banana Blossom etc and steamed lentils, this dry side dish is one of my favorites.

I prefer this over the regular thorans. I especially love the spiced steamed lentils. Whenever I prepare usili, I soak a little extra dal, so that I get a little more of the steamed lentil cakes. I enjoy eating these as such.

Each family has a different way of preparing this, the amount of lentils is also not fixed. Some like more lentils, whereas some like more vegetables. I prefer to keep it balanced. The kind of dal used also is a personal preference. In my house, we generally use a combination of Tuvar and Channa dal. The method of preparation also differs, some grind the lentils and fry 

directly some like me steam the ground lentils. Steaming is a more popular method since amount of oil used is lesser this way.

Since this is a dry curry and is very filling due to the addition of lentils, it is perfect with white rice and rasam. This is of course my preference, but it is a great accompaniment to Sambar and Mor Kuzhambu as well.

Serves: 3 to 4

What you’ll need

1. Cabbage – 5 cups (finely chopped)
2. Turmeric Powder – ¼ tsp
3. Asafoetida – a generous pinch
4. Curry Leaves – few sprigs
5. Salt to taste

For soaking

1. Bengal Gram Dal/Kadala Paruppu – ¼ cup
2. Tuvar Dal – ¼ cup
3. Dried Red Chilly – 2

For Tempering

1. Oil – 1 tbsp
2. Mustard Seeds – ½ tsp
3. Broken Urad Dal – ½ tsp

Method

1. Wash the dals in 2 or 3 exchanges of water and soak along with red chillies for 30 minutes.
2. Drain completely and grind the dals along with red chillies, asafoetida, salt to taste and curry leaves into a coarse paste. Do not add water while grinding.
3. Grease an idly mould, take a lemon sized ball of the ground mixture and pat into the idly grooves.
4. Steam for 6 to 7 minutes.
5. Let this cool then pulse it in the mixie again, so that it becomes a fine powder. Keep aside.
6. In the meanwhile, heat a kadai with oil splutter with mustard seeds and urad dal.
7. Once he dal turns golden, add the chopped cabbage, turmeric powder, and salt to taste. Mix well and cook covered, without adding water.
8. Keep stirring once in a while.
9. Once the cabbage is done, add the ground dal powder and roast for 6 to 7 minutes on low heat.

Cabbage Usili is ready. Serve with plain rice and Samabr/Rasam/Mor Kootan.

Note: Do not add water while cooking cabbage, as the curry will then turn very mushy. Just adding salt and cooking covered would do.

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