Heat oil in a frying pan or wok. On a low to medium heat, add the whole spices – cumin seeds, cinnamon, green cardamoms, cloves and tej patta. Fry the spices till they splutter and become fragrant. Take care that you don't burn the spices.
Then add chopped onions and stir.
On medium heat saute the onions till translucent stirring often.
Next add crushed ginger + garlic + green chilies. You can crush in a mortar-pestle.
Saute on low heat for a couple of seconds or till the raw aroma of ginger and garlic goes away.
Next add chopped tomatoes. Stir and mix well.
Then add turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala powder and coriander powder.
On a medium heat, stir and saute the whole masala till the tomatoes soften and become pulpy. You should also see oil releasing from the sides.
Now add the shredded cabbage. At this step, if you want then you can also add grated carrot or finely chopped or thinly sliced capsicum (bell pepper).
Mix the cabbage very well with the rest of the masala.
Season with salt as per taste.
Stir fry the cabbage on a medium heat and cook them till they turn translucent.
Then add the cooked rice.
Gently mix the rice with the cabbage mixture. You can also add the rice in parts and mix.
Saute the cabbage fried rice for 2 to 3 minutes more after mixing.
Garnish with coriander leaves or mint leaves.
Serve cabbage rice hot or warm with a simple dal or raita or yogurt. You can also have it as is.