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Black-Eyed Peas

Yield2 Servings

Thought to bring good luck when enjoyed at New Year’s, this fragrant black-eyed pea dish is rich with warming spices and comforting flavors. Traditionally shared for prosperity and blessings, it’s a joyful recipe to gather around—on New Year’s Day and well beyond.

black eye peas

 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (or try 1 teaspoon for less oil)
 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
 1 medium onion, chopped
 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste (found in Indian and ethnic grocery stores)
 2 tomatoes (diced)
 1/2-1 cup water or vegetable stock, as needed
 1 ½ teaspoons ground coriander
 ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
 ½ teaspoon garam masala
 ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional), or more for taste
 3 cups cooked black-eyed peas or 1 (28-ounce) can black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
 Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
 Cilantro, chopped for garnish
 Lemon wedges
Bloom the Spices
1

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

2

Add cumin seed and fry until seeds are fragrant (about 20 seconds.

Cook the Aromatics
3

Add onions and stir until transparent. Add the ginger-garlic paste and cook until soft.

Build the Base
4

Add tomatoes and raise temperature to medium-high. Stir until tomatoes are soft.

5

Blend the tomato-onion mixture with ½ cup water until you have a smooth paste. Place back in the skillet and add enough water to get a gravy-like consistency.

Spice the Gravy
6

Stir in coriander, turmeric, garam masala, and cayenne pepper and cook for 2 minutes over medium heat.

Simmer the Black-Eyed Peas
7

Add the black-eyed peas and simmer for 10 minutes. Add more stock or water, if needed.

Finish and Serve
8

Season with salt and pepper.

9

Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with rice and lemon wedges

10

Note:

11

The legumes can be made in an Instant Pot. Cook soaked legumes for 5 minutes or dry legumes for 18 minutes.

12

For a Western twist, consider adding carrots, corn, and/or spinach. Serves 4 to 6

Nutrition Facts

Servings 0