red cabbage

What is red cabbage, purple cabbage? glossary | benefits | uses | recipes | Viewed 31950 times
Also Known as
Lal Gobhi, purple cabbage

What is Red cabbage, Purple Cabbage ?


A red or purplish cabbage that is more mild and sweet flavored than other cabbage. It has a round, solid head and is popular for adding color to salads and stir-fries. The leaves on the red cabbage are tougher than those on the green cabbage because of its longer maturity time. Red cabbage is available throughout the year.



How to Select
When shopping for red cabbage, it is a good idea to choose those heads with the richest, reddest leaves, since the compounds that give red cabbage is rich flavor also provide its nutritional benefits. The leaves should show no evidence of damage or insect nibbles. Fresh cabbage will have a generous amount of wrapper (outer) leaves. Check the bottom of the cabbage to be sure the leaves are not beginning to separate from the stem, an indication of age.

Culinary uses of red cabbage in Indian cooking

red cabbage used in healthy Indian salads

1. matki salad recipe | healthy sprouts salad | easy sprouts salad | how to make healthy moth bean salad recipe | with 33 amazing images.

Nutritious matki beans join hands with a couple of crunchy and colourful veggies to make a scrumptious matki salad. Simple spices add to the flavour of this healthy sprouts salad, while tangy lemon juice works its magic. Learn how to make healthy moth bean salad recipe.

2. A medley of colourful veggies is tossed together with a zesty dressing that features grated apple, lemon juice and herbs. The dressing has a very intense mouth-feel and extraordinary flavour, which combine beautifully with the veggies in this Nutritious Vegetable Salad. 

sandwich using red cabbage

1. veg curd sandwich recipe | veg curd sandwich with mayo | with 14 amazing images.

A filling sandwich with a refreshing flavour, the Mayo Veg Curd Sandwich is the perfect snack to have on a summer's day! 

Loads of veggies give veg curd sandwich a fabulous texture, which is crunchy and juicy, while mayonnaise and curds give it an awesome creaminess. 

An array of sauces elevate the flavour from superb to fabulous, making this veg curd sandwich a real must-try option.

Indo Chinese recipes using red cabbage


1. vegetable chow mein recipe | Chinese veg chow mein | Indian style vegetable chowmein | with 32 amazing images.

vegetable chow mein is one of the gems of Chinese cuisine, well known across the world! Indian style vegetable chowmein is not a very complex dish but has a very interesting mix of textures and flavours, which is sure to intrigue your senses. 


2. veg soba noodles recipe | Indian style soba noodles | eggless veg buckwheat noodles | with 26 amazing images.

veg soba noodles is an Indian style soba noodles recipe that excites your palate with myriad textures and flavours. With loads of crunchy veggies and the sharp flavours of ginger, garlic and soy sauce, this veg soba noodles promises fun in each mouthful. 

A dash of honey balances the flavours beautifully making this a veg soba noodles par excellence. Just ensure that the noodles is cooked right and not overcooked. 


" Most often pickled, raw shredded red cabbage adds a striking taste to salads.
" When cooking with red or purple cabbage, be aware that the compound (anthocyanin) that gives the cabbage that beautiful color will also turn it blue when it is cooked along with any alkaline substance. Since tap water is often full of alkaline minerals such as lime, be sure to add about 1 teaspoon of acidic agent, such as lemon juice, vinegar, or wine, to the pot when using tap water. If your red cabbage begins to take on that blue tinge in any recipe, the addition of the acidic agent will usually bring back the original color.
" Use red or purple cabbage leaves to hold side dishes or salads on the plate for an attractive and colorful accent.
" Cabbage heads can be hollowed out and used as unique serving containers for cold dips and spreads. Red and purple ones make excellent centerpieces used as a container.
" Combine shredded red and white cabbage with fresh lemon juice, olive oil, and seasonings such as turmeric, cumin, coriander and black pepper.
" The color in red cabbage will have a tendency to run when it is cooked. The cabbage turns a purplish blue and turns other foods that it is cooked with to a reddish color. To prevent the red cabbage from discoloring, add lemon juice or vinegar to the cooking water. Approximately 1/2 tbsp. per cup of cooking water will be sufficient

How to Store
Keeping cabbage cold will keep it fresh and help it retain its nutritional content. Put the whole head in a plastic bag in the crisper section of your refrigerator.

Health Benefits of red cabbage
" Cabbage is low in calories, relieves constipation, good for diabetics. Cabbage has high levels of flavonoids and anthocyanins and has long been used as a herbal medicine. Rich in Antioxidants in turn lowers the risk of infection and inflammation of the body due to eating processed foods. Red cabbage also called purple cabbage has slightly high levels of flavonoids and anthocyanins than green cabbage and has long been used as a herbal medicine. It has same health benefits to offer as the cabbage otherwise. See here all benefits of cabbage. 
Red cabbage cubes
Wash the red cabbage with water and dry it with a kitchen towel. Place it on a chopping board and cut into 2 halves vertically using sharp knife. Cut each halve into two more halves by cutting it vertically. Then place one piece flat on the chopping board and from one end cut the red cabbage into thick uniform strips vertically. Line up the strips with your non-working hand and cut them horizontally to get square pieces. As per the recipe, chop them into particular size of the cubes, (for example, ½ inch to 1 inch cubes).
Shredded red cabbage
Wash the red cabbage with water and dry it with a kitchen towel. Place it on a chopping board and cut into 2 halves vertically using sharp knife. Cut each halve into two more halves by cutting it vertically. Then place one piece flat on the chopping board and from one end cut the red cabbage into thin or thick uniform strips vertically. This us shredded red cabbage.

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