Lobia Masala (Black Eyed Beans / CowPeas Curry)

 

          This is a very delicious and a popular recipe from North India, especially Punjab. They are also known as black eyed beans, cowpeas or chawli and is especially relished with any form of Indian bread. I enjoy having it for breakfast with poori / paratha, accompanied with some onion, green chilies and lime wedges. It is both nutritious and wholesome. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this simple delicacy.

• 1 cup lobia (black eyed beans)
• 2-3 tbsp. oil
• 2 dry red chilies
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 inch cinnamon stick
• 2 green cardamoms
• 4 cloves
• 1 tsp. cumin seeds
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tsp. ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• salt to taste
• 1 tsp. red chili powder
• 1 tbsp. coriander powder
• 1 tsp. cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp. pepper powder (opt)
• 1 tsp. garam masala powder
• 1 tsp. lime juice
• coriander leaves & lime wedges to garnish

          Pressure cook the soaked beans in 2 & 1/2 cups water for 5-6 whistles or till tender.

          Heat oil in a pan and temper with the cumin seeds, dry red chilies, cinnamon, cloves, cardamoms and bay leaves. Sauté for a few seconds.

          Then add the onion and Fry till light brown.

          Now add the ginger-garlic paste and all the dry spices (except garam masala powder and salt) mixed with some water. Fry till the oil separates. 

          Add the tomatoes and keep frying till it is mashed.

          Add the boiled Lobia and salt to taste. Simmer on a medium flame for 4-5 minutes. 

          When done, add garam masala powder and ghee.  

         Garnish with coriander leaves & serve with steamed rice, jeera rice, poori, paratha, naan, tandoori roti or chapatis. 

                    Soak the Black eyes beans overnight.

Pressure cook the soaked beans in 2 & 1/2 cups water for 5-6 whistles or till tender.

Heat oil in a pan & temper with the cumin seeds, dry red chilies, cinnamon, cloves, cardamoms & bay leaves. Sauté for a few seconds.

                     Then add the onion and Fry till light brown.

Add the ginger-garlic paste & all the dry spices (except garam masala powder & salt) mixed with some water. Fry till the oil separates. 

                   Add the tomatoes & keep frying till it is mashed.

Add the boiled Lobia & salt to taste. Simmer on a medium flame for 4-5 minutes. 

                     When done, add garam masala powder and ghee. 

                   Garnish with coriander leaves.

Serve with steamed rice, jeera rice, poori, paratha, naan, tandoori roti or chapatis. 

Lobia Prawn Masala (Black Eyed Beans / Cowpeas Prawn Curry)

          Lobia curry is very popular in North India, especially Punjab. It is also called black eyed beans, cowpeas or chawli. It is typically relished with any type of Indian bread like naan, tandoori roti, Kulcha, paratha, etc. accompanied with some green chilies and lemon. It is very wholesome and nutritious. So check out my fusion non vegetarian version of this curry where I paired Lobia with some prawns. It turned out just awesome and yummy. So it is a great party dish, and a must try recipe too, for  special occasions.

• 1/2 cup Lobia (black eyed beans), soaked overnight
• 15-20 prawns, deveined & cleaned
• 2-3 tbsp. oil
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 inch cinnamon stick
• 2-3 green cardamons
• 4-5 cloves
• 1 tsp. cumin seeds
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tsp. ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tsp. tomato paste / 1/4 cup tomato puree
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1-2 tsp. red chili powder
• 1 tbsp. coriander-cumin powder
• 1 tsp. garam masala powder
• salt to taste 
• pinch of nutmeg powder
• 1 tsp. ghee
• coriander leaves to garnish 

          Pressure cook Lobia with 1& 1/2 cups water till soft. Keep aside. Heat oil and temper with bay leaves, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and cumin seeds. Sauté for a few seconds.

          Add onion and stir fry till light brown. Add prawns and continue to sauté for 2-3 minutes. 

          Now add the tomato paste, ginger-garlic paste and all the dry spices mixed with some water. Sauté till the oil separates.

          Add the boiled Lobia and simmer, covered on a medium flame till the gravy comes to a desired consistency. 

          Switch off the flame and add ghee. Give it a stir and garnish with coriander leaves. 

          Relish it with naan, tandoori roti, roomali roti, kulcha or any type of Indian flat bread. You may also enjoy with jeera rice, pulao, plain biryani or steamed rice. 

Lemony Vegetable Soya Stew

       
         Now that Diwali is over, how about some detoxification? So here is an absolutely healthy and a nutritious stew / broth with the goodness of some mixed veggies, soya chunks and boiled lobia. Enjoy this simple meal either for lunch / dinner with a dash of lime. You need nothing else. Light on the stomach, it is a soul satisfying meal. So check the step by step guide pictorial recipe to prepare it.

• 3 cups chopped mixed veggies, cubed (Carrot, green papaya, beans, green peas, bottle gourd, etc.)
• handful of soya chunks
• 1/2 cup boiled lobia
• 1 lemongrass stalk
• 1-2 green chilies, slit
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tsp. garlic, chopped
• 1 onion, sliced
• salt to taste
• 1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp. roasted cumin  powder
• 1 stock cube
• 1 tbsp. oats
• 1 tsp. lime juice

          Heat oil and sauté the garlic till light brown. Then add the onion and continue to fry till light brown in color.

          Add all the chopped veggies, turmeric powder, cumin powder, lemongrass, stock cube and green chilies. Fry for two minutes on high flame.

          Add 1 1/2 - 2 cups water, salt, soya chunks and oats. Pressure cook for one whistle. When done, add the lobia. Mix well and serve with a dash of lime for a healthy and sumptuous meal.


          

                  Heat oil & saute garlic till light brown. Add onion & fry till light brown.

                                Add all chopped veggies, the stock cube, followed by.....

                  turmeric powder, cumin powder, lemongrass & green chilies. Fry for two 
                  minutes on high flame.

                              Add the soya chunks,

                               1 & 1/2 - 2 cups water, salt and oats. 

                               Pressure cook for 1-2 whistles. 

                               When done, add the lobia. Mix well.

                               Serve with a dash of lime for a healthy & sumptuous meal.