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Cabbage kootu recipe | How to make cabbage kootu | Dal cabbage

By swasthi , on January 22, 2021, 16 Comments, Jump to Recipe

Cabbage kootu recipe made with dal, cabbage, spices and curry leaves. Kootu is a dal / lentil based dish from South Indian Cuisine. It is one of the most served dishes in a vegetarian meal in South Indian restaurants. Kootu is also made in many households for a everyday meal or even during festivals.

cabbage kootu

It is made with veggies like bottle gourd, pumpkin, cabbage or even with mixed vegetables. Kootu is often served with rice or phulka.

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There are different ways a kootu curry is made. I have shared the way we make it at home.

I have used toor dal, you can also use moong dal, chana dal or a mix of both. The addition of roasted dal and coconut mixture brings in a unique aroma and taste to this cabbage kootu.

Cabbage can be cleaned in so many ways. You can quarter the cabbage and add them to warm salted water. Leave for a while and then rinse few times. Drain completely and chop.

You can also chop it and add to salted water. Rinse well and repeat the rinse. You can also clean each leaf of cabbage and wash first and then drain water. This is slightly a tedious work. Drain cabbage completely chop it finely.

To make cabbage kootu, dal and cabbage can be cooked together. But I have first cooked dal and then added cabbage just not to overcook it.

Preparation

1. Soak 2 to 3 tablespoons tamarind in little hot water. Set aside. Add half cup dal to a pressure cooker or a bowl. You can use moong dal or toor dal or a mix of both.

soak tamarind for cabbage kootu

2. Rinse it very well a few times until the water runs clear. Add 1 ½ cup water and pressure cook for 2 to 3 whistles. If placing inside a large cooker, allow to whistle 4 to 5 times. You can also add cabbage now if you like to cook it very soft. But I prefer to add it later to cooked dal.

pressure cook dal for cabbage kootu recipe

3. While the dal cooks, chop 2 cups cabbage and add it to a pot of salted water. Drain off and wash few times. Set this aside. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a small tadka pan. Fry 2 to 4 red chilies and 1½ tablespoons chana dal until the dal turns aromatic & deep golden. Cool and add them to a blender along with 3 tablespoons coconut and ½ teaspoon cumin seeds.

frying masala for cabbage kootu recipe

4. Add little water and make a smooth paste.

coconut paste for cabbage kootu recipe

How to make cabbage kootu

5. When the pressure releases naturally, add chopped cabbage to the dal. If needed pour more water. Cabbage gets cooked in just 5 to 6 minutes. If it is not tender then 8 minutes would be enough.

smooth cooked dal for cabbage kootu recipe
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6. Add the ground paste. Cook for a while. Stir and cook well until the cabbage is tender.

addition of paste for cabbage kootu recipe

7. When the cabbage is cooked, add tamarind paste or water. Do not add tamarind before the cabbage is cooked. Stir and allow to bubble.

addition of tamarind for cabbage kootu recipe

8. Heat a pan, add 1 tablespoon ghee or oil. Add ¼ mustard seeds, 1 dried red chili and 8 to 10 curry leaves. When the curry leaves turn crisp. off the stove and add 1 pinch of hing.

tempering or poppu for cabbage kootu recipe
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9. Pour it to the cabbage kootu.

seasoned south indian cabbage kootu recipe

Cabbage kootu is ready to be served with rice or phulka.

cabbage kootu

More Cabbage recipes
Cabbage masala
Steamed cabbage curry
Cabbage stir fry

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cabbage kootu

Cabbage kootu

Cabbage kootu is a simple dish made with lentils, cabbage & spices. This south Indian style cabbage kootu is healthy & delicious. Serve it with rice or roti.
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For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card

Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Servings3
AuthorSwasthi

Ingredients (US cup = 240ml )

  • ½ cup dal (toor dal or moong dal)
  • 2 cups cabbage chopped
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons tamarind (adjust to taste)
  • ½ to ¾ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • ⅛ teaspoon turmeric

to roast and grind

  • 3 tablespoons coconut fresh or frozen grated
  • 2 to 4 dried red chilies (less spicy kind)
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 to 1½ tablespoons chana dal (bengal gram)

to season

  • 1 teaspoon ghee or 2 tsps oil
  • 1 sprig curry leaves
  • ¾ teaspoon mustard seeds
  • 1 pinch hing (asafoetida)
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Instructions

Preparation

  • Soak tamarind in little water. Set aside.
  • Add dal to a bowl and rinse it well. Pour 1 cup water to the dal.
  • Pressure cook dal till soft. I usually cook for 3 whistles in pressure cooker.
  • You can also pressure cook cabbage with dal, but I prefer to add it later to avoid over cooking.
  • While the dal cooks, chop cabbage. Rinse it well and drain completely.
  • Meanwhile in a small tadka pan, dry roast chana dal and red chilies until deep golden and aromatic.
  • Then add jeera and fry for 30 seconds. Add coconut and fry for 1 to 2 mins. Cool and make a fine paste with little water.

Making cabbage kootu

  • When the pressure releases add cabbage to the cooked dal. Add turmeric and ground kootu paste. Stir and cook.
  • When the cabbage is cooked add tamarind. Taste test and add more salt if needed.

Tempering

  • Heat ghee or oil in a pan for tempering.
  • Add mustard, red chilli and curry leaves. When they begin to splutter, add hing.
  • Switch off and pour this to the cabbage kootu. Give a good mix and serve with rice or roti.
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Alternative quantities provided in the recipe card are for 1x only, original recipe.

For best results follow my detailed step-by-step photo instructions and tips above the recipe card.

NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)

Nutrition Facts
Cabbage kootu
Amount Per Serving
Calories 215 Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value*
Fat 7g11%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Cholesterol 12mg4%
Sodium 29mg1%
Potassium 537mg15%
Carbohydrates 28g9%
Fiber 13g54%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 10g20%
Vitamin A 355IU7%
Vitamin C 74.9mg91%
Calcium 41mg4%
Iron 3.7mg21%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @SwasthisRecipes or tag #swasthisrecipes!

© Swasthi’s Recipes

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Cabbage kootu recipe | How to make cabbage kootu | Dal cabbage
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About swasthi

I’m Swasthi shreekanth, the recipe developer, food photographer & food writer behind Swasthis recipes. My aim is to help you cook great Indian food with my time-tested recipes. After 2 decades of experience in practical Indian cooking I started this blog to help people cook better & more often at home. Whether you are a novice or an experienced cook I am sure Swasthi’s Recipes will assist you to enhance your cooking skills.
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Recipe Rating




16 Comments
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Helis
September 23, 2020 3:26 am

Thank you so much for this recipe! I love cabbage in all different forms but mostly I’ve been cooking it in the oven. Now in India I don’t have oven and I was looking for ways to cook it. Ever since I found this recipe I have had cabbage kootu on my menu at least once a week. ☺️☀️

Another topic… I had very delicious Ada filled with coconut-chilly stuffing in one of the tea shops… Could you share the Ada recipe, either sweet or/and savory one? Thank you in advance ?

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Helis
September 23, 2020 11:30 am

Hello Helis
Glad to know you are making this often. I don’t have a recipe for Ada. Sorry couldn’t help you.
Thank you!
🙂

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Aarthi
May 2, 2020 11:48 am

5 stars
Hi, this tasted heavenly. No one in my house likes cabbage kootu, so really wanted a different recipe. The photo of cabbage kootu that you had posted looked delicious, so tried this recipe and it was an instant hit at home. Thanks a lot for sharing a wonderful recipe.

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Aarthi
May 5, 2020 10:54 am

Hi Aarthi
You are welcome! Glad to know. Thank you

Reply
archana gottipaty
April 2, 2020 11:00 pm

4 stars
I tried this and it has a simple and pleasing flavor.

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  archana gottipaty
April 3, 2020 7:29 am

Thanks Archana

Reply
Jyoti Khilnani
March 30, 2019 11:57 pm

5 stars
I made this recipe with moong dal turned out good

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Jyoti Khilnani
March 31, 2019 1:19 am

Thanks Jyoti

Reply
neha ray
August 1, 2016 2:35 pm

5 stars
Thanks Swasthi. This recipe came out very good

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  neha ray
August 1, 2016 2:45 pm

Welcome Neha
Glad to know you liked it

Reply
Sharada
September 2, 2015 6:07 am

Thanks for ur recipe.. I made it for my family.. Came out well n asked me wat did I add for the flavour.. All thanks to you dear..

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Sharada
September 2, 2015 7:09 am

Welcome Sharada,
So glad it came out well. Thanks for the feedback

Reply
Connie
July 13, 2015 4:56 pm

In the step by step you did not roast the coconut and cummin, but the recipe says to roast all the ingredients under “grind”, please clarify Thanks

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Connie
July 14, 2015 12:16 am

Hi Connie ,
It is optional to roast coconut and cumin. It does not alter the taste. I will update the post soon. Thanks

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indu srinivasan
July 13, 2015 3:41 pm

delicious kootu.

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  indu srinivasan
July 14, 2015 12:16 am

Thanks Indu

Reply

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