Soak the mung dal in ¼ cup of hot water while you prep the cabbage
Prep cabbage
Cut the head of cabbage in half. Then take one half and place it with the flat side down on the cutting board and thinly slice the cabbage into long strips. Then cut the strips in half. Chop about 6 cups of cabbage
Instant Pot Recipe
Set the Instant Pot to saute mode and heat oil. Add cumin seeds and allow them to sizzle. Turn Saute off. Add turmeric, red chili powder, and cabbage. Add salt and mix. Add water and layer the soaked dal on top. NOT: Do not mix as the dal can stick to the bottom of the pot.
Close the lid and cook for 1 minute followed by quick release. Press cancel and open the Instant Pot. Mix well and garnish with cilantro
Stove Top Recipe
In a large nonstick pan heat oil. Add cumin seeds and allow them to sizzle. Add turmeric, red chili powder and cabbage, salt, and soaked mung dal. Mix well and cook covered with the lid on for 5 minutes on medium heat
After 5 minutes taste and if the texture is good for you, turn the heat off and enjoy the cabbage. If you like it cooked soft, mix well and cook covered for another 5 minutes
Video
Notes
Cabbage Stir Fry Variations:
In India, cabbage is chopped finely and the sabzi soft cooked. But you can also cut the cabbage coarsely or cook it just enough so it still has little bite and crunchy texture.
Red chili powder in this recipe can be skipped altogether or substituted with chopped green chili. Add more or less depending on your spice preference
This recipe also works with red/purple or savoy cabbage
My favorite recipe spins to this cabbage stir fry
Add a cup of green peas along with the cabbage for a delicious Cabbage with peas or Patta Gobhi Matar Ki Sabzi
Add a medium potato diced small along with the cabbage an Instant Cabbage with potatoes or Aloo Patta Gobhi
Diced tomato along with cabbage for a bright tangy taste
A cup of shredded or finely diced carrots for a pop of color and a hint of sweetness