This is one of my favourite quick and easy healthy meals. Throughout Spring and the warmer months, we probably eat this once a week. The idea of eating a raw cabbage leaf on its own is hardly appetising, but with the right ingredients, cabbage becomes neutral in flavour and performs beautifully as a sturdy, ultra-healthy, low-glycemic wrap. Cabbage is also amazing for reducing excess oestrogen in the body. 

Experiment and make it your own with different variations. It’s extremely flexible. A Mediterranean flavour profile combines better with hummus than Asian herbs and flavours, so think thyme, rosemary, oregano, sweet basil and parsley. Add-ons like olive tapenade, sundried tomatoes, pesto, artichoke tapenade and lemon all marry well together.

Make your own hummus or use good quality store-bought hummus. Check for harmful preservatives like sodium or potassium benzoate, sodium nitrate, MSG or added sugar, which you really don’t want spoiling the healthy karma of this meal.

RECIPE

Serves: 4 as an appetizer, 2 as a main dish, or about 3 wraps per person
Prep Time: 15 mins if hummus is already prepared, 30 mins with cooked or canned chickpeas

INGREDIENTS 

Wrap Base Veg 
5 handfuls chopped greens, chard, beet greens, watercress, or lettuce mix
6 leaves of either Chinese (Napa), Savoy, white, green or pointed cabbage
1 large or 2 small carrots, chopped into matchsticks or grated
1 small beet, peeled and grated

Hummus
1 Tbsp or 15-20g hummus per wrap, depending on leaf size
100-150g of hummus for 6 wraps

OR make hummus from scratch:
200g cooked or canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 Tbsp or 30ml extra virgin olive oil
Juice of one lemon
1 clove of garlic
1 Tbsp or 15g tahini
1 Tsp or 5g cumin powder
Salt, pepper, paprika or chilli powder to taste

ON TOP

Herb Topping
1 spring onion, finely chopped
mixed sprouts like radish, alfalfa, or lentil
2 small handfuls chopped herbs of choice, such as basil and/or parsley

Lemon Vinaigrette
Juice of one lemon*
2 Tbs or 30ml olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

*If the lemon is dry, add a splash of light vinegar like apple, coconut or white wine

Optional Toppings
Sundried tomato (rehydrated in warm water for an hour, finely chopped)
Olive tapenade or chopped green or black olives
Basil, rocket or red pepper pesto
Roasted paprika peppers

HOW TO

Carefully separate the cabbage leaves from the head, wash and dry on a kitchen towel or just let them air dry. You can cut Savoy or Oxheart cabbage leaves in half to make smaller wraps. Chop the basil, green onion and parsley together.

Make your hummus by combining the spices, oil, lemon juice and garlic in the blender or food processor until smooth. You may need to turn the ingredients in between pulses by pushing them down the sides with a spatula. Next, make your lemon vinaigrette by combining all the ingredients in a small jar with a lid for easy shaking. Set it aside.

The Wrap

Assemble leaves on plates or one large platter, 2-3 leaves per person or more if you cut leaves in half. Spread a spoon or two of hummus on each cabbage leaf in the centre. Mix the greens, beets and carrots with the lemon dressing in a bowl and add the mix to each wrap. Finish with the herb topping and sprouts, wrap it or pick it up like a taco and enjoy!

Buffet Style

I do this when entertaining or if I want more variety. Kids love building their own wrap!  Serving buffet style offers everyone the option to make their own wrap by setting out each ingredient separately on the table, including the bonus Optional Toppings in small dishes.  It makes for a beautiful veggie spread and a feast for the eyes!

Bon appétit!

ABOUT HILARY

Hilary is the Co-Founder of the SABI, a Holistic Nutritionist and natural, whole foods Chef, product developer and advocate for women getting to know their bodies, cycles and selves better. Born in Los Angeles, California and raised in Baja California, Mexico, she now lives in Amsterdam, The Netherlands with her partner Kees and her dog, Flint.