To make the cabbage rice, start by washing the rice 2-3 times and soak in a big bowl of water for 30 minutes.
Soak the peanuts and chana dal in a small bowl of water for 15-20 minutes.
Finely chop the cabbage, discarding the core and any tough ribs on the leaves. We need 3 cups of finely chopped cabbage.
In a large heavy bottomed pan with a lid, heat the oil.
Add the mustard and cumin seeds. Once they splutter, add the chillies, curry leaves and stir for few seconds.
Drain the water from the soaked peanuts and chana dal. Add the soaked peanuts and chana dal to the oil. Stir for a minute.
Add the finely chopped cabbage and saute on high flame for 1-2 minutes. The cabbage will reduce in volume a bit.
At this point, add the salt, drained out rice, garam masala and chilli powder (if using). Stir this around for 3-4 minutes until the rice is a little toasted.
To this, add around 1 and 3/4 cups of water, reserving 1/4 cup for use if required.
Stir to mix well. Once the water comes to a boil, reduce the flame, cover with the lid and allow rice-cabbage to cook for 7-8 minutes.
Open the lid after 8 minutes and check if rice is cooked. Even if it is 80% cooked, at this point switch off the flame and keep covered for 20 minutes. The rice will be perfectly cooked by then.
Fluff up the rice and serve hot.