
Honey – Nature’s Sweetheart

Turmeric and Coconut-Braised Cabbage with Chick Peas (4 servings)
(from November 29, 2020 @ www.insider.com/vegan-meal-plan)
Ingredients
½ medium head of green cabbage (about 2#)
2 medium shallots (about 4 oz)
1 x 1″ piece ginger
2 garlic cloves
1 green chile
3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp salt
1 x 13.5-oz can unsweetened coconut milk
1 x 15.5-oz can chickpeas
1 tsp brown mustard seeds
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp turmeric powder
½ cup vegetable stock or water
To start, prep your ingredients: Slice ½ medium head of green cabbage (about 2 lb.) through core to make 4 wedges. Peel and finely chop 2 medium shallots (about 4 oz.). Peel one 1″ piece ginger with a spoon and finely chop. Using the side of your knife, crush 2 garlic cloves, remove and discard papery skins, and finely chop. Halve 1 green chile lengthwise and, if you don’t want it too hot, scrape out seeds and white membrane with the back of the knife; discard. If you prefer some heat, leave as is. Finely chop chile. Set shallots, ginger, garlic, and chile aside.
Heat 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil in a large high-sided skillet with lid or wide Dutch oven over medium-high. Add cabbage, cut side down, and season with salt. Cook, undisturbed, until lightly charred underneath, about 5 minutes. Turn over and cook, undisturbed, until charred, about 5 minutes. Transfer cabbage to a plate.
Shake one 13.5-oz can unsweetened coconut milk to ensure it’s well mixed; open can. Open one 15.5-oz can chickpeas and rinse in a colander under running water.
Heat remaining 1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil in same skillet over medium-high. Add reserved shallots, ginger, garlic, and chile, and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add 1 tsp. brown mustard seeds, 1 tsp. ground cumin, and 1 tsp turmeric powder and cook, stirring, until mustard seeds are popping, about 1 minute.
Add coconut milk, chickpeas, ½ cup vegetable stock or water, and 1 tsp salt. Stir to combine.
Place cabbage wedges back into pan and, using a large spoon, baste cabbage with coconut milk; bring mixture to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook until cabbage is tender, 15–20 minutes. Taste and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Scoop some steamed white rice into each bowl and divide cabbage and chickpeas over; top with cilantro leaves. Serve with lime wedges, for squeezing over. Enjoy!
Turmeric is an excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory herb/food for health. Chick peas are a great source of protein.
Low carbohydrate diets (~130 grams carbs/day) are popular when attempting to burn off excess fat and lose weight. Carbohydrates include pasta, bread, cous-cous, potatoes, rice, cakes, cookies, and sugary foods. Eliminating all carbohydrates from our diets is not safe, especially is one works out on a regular basis.
Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose (sugar). Excess glucose is stored in the muscle and liver as glycogen or, with the help of insulin, converted into fatty acids, and stored as fat in adipose tissue.
If we don’t eat enough complex carbohydrates we may not take in enough fiber and can become constipated. Our brains need glucose! Carbohydrates supply energy.
Check with your primary care physician about an appropriate weight loss strategy for your health needs. If you are trying to lose weight, exercise portion control and keep eating whole-grain carbs along with more veggies, beans, nuts, and seeds. As always, be sure to drink at least 2 liters of water daily to stay well hydrated.