Of Cabbages & Kings

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the USA, is hailed as one of the best orators the world has known. Lincoln suffered from glossophobia, the fear of public speaking. Whatever alienation the visionary leader may have faced in trying to eradicate slavery but in his erstwhile fear, Lincoln was certainly not alone. Statistics show that the fear of public speaking is the number one human fear superseding the fear of death! 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            It was cabbages that came to Lincoln's rescue & made him the powerful speaker that he evolved into. In the dark hours of the night, Abe Lincoln would stand in front of the cabbage plantation & make his speeches. They resembled human heads & gave him the assurance of facing a human audience!

You can put the cabbage to other uses too. Of an edible nature, for instance. Like Cabbage Chicken. It tastes absolutely delicious, gives you more masala & yet keeps the dish dry. Try this today if you haven't already.
                                                                                                          Ingredients:  
1. 1kg chicken
2. 1/2 (medium sized)cabbage- grated
3. 1 large onion grated
4. 1 cube ginger slice- grated
5. 1 large tomato- grated/purée
6. 4 large potatoes-peeled(optional)
7. 1/4 tsp cumin seeds
8. 1/5 tsp fenugreek seeds
9. 1 tsp sugar(optional)
10. Chilli powder- as preferred
11. 3/4tsp turmeric powder
12. 1/2 Garam masala
13. Salt- to taste
14. Mustard/Refined oil- to cook
15. 1 cup water
                                                                                                                                                Method:
1. In hot oil, allow sugar to caramalize.
                                                                                                                                            2. Add the fenufreek & cumin seeds & let splutter for 2 mins.


3. Fry the onion, ginger & tomato till oil leaves the pan. 

4. Add the grated cabbage, chicken, potatoes & fry on medium flame till oil leaves pan. Add the turmeric, chilli & salt.  Cover the wok & cook for 20-25 minutes.

Or give it one whistle & take it off flame.

5. Add garam masala powder, fry the Cabbage Chicken for 2-3 minutes on high flame & remove from heat.

"Why do Bengalis add potato to chicken & mutton?" somebody once asked me . "To increase the amount," said I. Honestly, I know of no other reason! Apart from the love of aloo, that is.