Indian Black Eyed Peas Curry Recipe - Lobia Masala

This black-eyed peas curry (lobia recipe) combines earthy black-eyed peas with aromatic spices. This curry with black-eyed peas is easy to prepare, making it a fantastic choice for both busy weeknights and leisurely weekend dinners.

About Black-eyed peas curry

Black-eyed peas, or lobia, are versatile and delicious. This lobia recipe has been a go-to meal in my family, especially on busy weekdays. It's incredibly simple to make, but its rich flavor never fails to wow.

With pantry staple ingredients and an easy recipe, this dish is ideal for anyone looking to whip up a quick yet hearty meal.

This black-eyed beans curry or lobia masala pairs well with rice or flatbreads, making it a versatile option for lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

These simple yet essential ingredients make the aromatic and flavorful black-eyed peas curry.

For exact ingredient quantities, see the recipe card below.

• Black-eyed Peas: I cooked black-eyed peas from scratch at home and used them to make this curry. You can also use canned black-eyed peas. Please check my Instant Pot black-eyed peas post to cook soaked or dried black-eyed peas at home. These legumes are tender and creamy, providing a hearty base and rich texture to the curry.
• Water: Essential for cooking and creating the desired consistency of the curry. You can also use coconut milk to make this curry. 
• Aromatics: Onions, garlic, and ginger will flavor the curry and enhance its overall taste. You can use ginger and garlic paste if you do not have fresh garlic or ginger. You can skip any of these if you do not have them handy.
• Tomato: Tomato lends a tangy and slightly acidic taste, contributing to the curry's thick and rich texture. I used fresh chopped tomatoes; you could also use canned tomatoes or tomato puree to make this curry. 
• Garam Masala Powder: A blend of warm spices that brings depth and complexity to the curry, and this is optional.
• Spice powders: I used red chili powder, ground coriander, and turmeric powder to make this curry. Instead of red chili powder, you can use red chili flakes, paprika powder, or cayenne pepper to make this curry. Adjust the spice according to your spice preference. 
• Oil: I used coconut oil to saute the aromatics. You could also use other oils like avocado oil, olive oil, butter, or ghee to make this curry.
• Salt: Balances flavors and brings out the natural tastes of the ingredients. Adjust as per your taste preference.

How to make Black-eyed Peas Curry

Prep the Ingredients

• Soak the black-eyed peas for 4 to 8 hours. After soaking, rinse the peas a couple of times and drain the water completely. 
• Add these rinsed black-eyed peas to the stovetop pressure cooker or Instant Pot inner pot.
• Add 2 cups water and pressure cook for 2 to 3 whistles. If using an Instant Pot, cook for 5 minutes on high pressure. Please check my Instant Pot Black-eyed peas recipe for detailed instructions on how to cook dried or soaked black-eyed peas.
• Once the pressure cooker completes cooking, drain the water from the cooked black-eyed peas and keep them aside.

• While the beans are cooking, finely chop onions and grate ginger and garlic. If you are using veggies, chop them as per your preference. And finely chop or puree the tomatoes.

Saute the Aromatics

•  Heat a cooking pot over medium heat and add oil. Then add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, grated garlic, grated ginger, and let the seeds splutter.

• Add finely chopped onions and fry them until they turn golden brown. 

Add veggies and spices

• Add the chopped tomatoes to the pot and cook until they break down and form a thick base.

• Then goes the chopped veggies. Add the veggies of your choice and stir them well. Skip this step if you are not using veggies while making this curry.

• Add garam masala, red chili powder, ground coriander, turmeric powder, and salt. Adjust the spice levels according to your preference. 

• Mix everything well so that spice powders get coated well with the veggies.

Simmer the Curry

• Now add water and cook the curry till the veggies are almost cooked. If you do not use veggies, you can skip this step.

• Add cooked black-eyed peas to this veggies mixture.

• Mix everything well and simmer the curry over low heat for 6 to 8 minutes or until the curry reaches your desired consistency.

•  If the curry appears too thick, gently add more water to achieve your desired consistency.

Serve and Enjoy

• Before serving, check the consistency. If you prefer a thicker curry, simmer a bit longer to let it reduce.
• Finally, add chopped cilantro leaves and lime or lemon juice. Mix the curry well and get ready to indulge in your flavorful Black-eyed Peas Curry!

Recipe Tips

• Soaking dried black-eyed peas overnight reduces cooking time. If you use canned peas, rinse them well to remove excess salt.
• You can adjust the spice levels by altering the quantity of red chili powder or adding a dollop of yogurt to mellow the spice. Green chili is optional, and skip it if you like mild curry.
• Instead of water, use vegetable broth or coconut milk to cook the curry for a richer taste.

Variations & Substitutions

• Blend some of the cooked black-eyed peas and add them to the curry for a creamy variation. Additionally, use the leftover water from cooking the black-eyed peas instead of regular water.
• Adding veggies is optional, and I used carrots and beans while making this recipe. You can also use potatoes, sweet potatoes, or bell peppers for a different taste and texture.
• Based on the availability, I also add spinach, kale, or other leafy green veggies to this curry. Add them at the end and simmer the curry for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Garam masala powder is optional; you can omit it or substitute it with other spice mixtures for a different taste, such as curry powder, Cajun spice powder, or Mexican spice mix. You can also use Punjabi garam masala to make Punjabi lobia.

How to serve this curry

I like to serve Black-eyed Peas Curry alongside flavored basmati rice or simple steamed rice for a classic and comforting meal.

You can also enjoy it with freshly made chapati, naan bread, or crusty bread to savor the curry's flavors with different textures.
Complement the curry with a side of yogurt, pickles, or a simple salad to balance the flavors and textures.

Storage Suggestions

Refrigeration

• Leftovers: Store any leftover Black-eyed Peas Curry in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
• Reheating: When reheating, gently warm the curry on the stovetop. Add a splash of water if needed to restore its consistency.

Freezing

• For extended storage, you can freeze the cooled curry in freezer-safe containers for up to 1-2 months.
• Thawing and Reheating: Thaw frozen curry in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Reheat gently on the stovetop, adjusting the consistency as needed.

• You can also use whole spices like bay leaf, cinnamon, and cardamom to flavor the curry.

Common FAQ

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