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Black Eyed Peas Curry Recipe | Easy Chavali Usal (Lobia Masala)

Black Eyed PeasCurry also called Chavali Usal is an easy, protein-rich delicious curry recipe.  
This is a vegan, gluten-free, protein-rich, diabetic-friendly & beginner-friendly recipe.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Soaking Peas 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 35 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Easy Dinner Recipes, Easy Lunch Recipes, Easy Tiffin Recipes, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients
  

  • 250 grams Black Eyed Peas (Chavali)
  • 1 large Onion, finely chopped
  • 1 large Tomato, pureed
  • 3 Cloves
  • 3 Green Cardamons
  • 1 inch Cinamon Stick
  • 1 Bay Leaf
  • 1 teaspoon Cumin Seeds
  • 1 teaspoon Ginger-Garlic Paste
  • 2 Green Chillies
  • 1 teaspoon Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Coriander Powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Cumin Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Garam Masala Powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Kasuri Methi (Dry Fenugreek)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Sugar, to balance the tartness of tomatoes
  • Salt to taste
  • 2 tablespoons Coriander Leaves, to garnish
  • 2 tablespoons Oil

Method
 

To Soak & Cook Peas
  1. Soak 250 grams of black-eyed peas overnight or for 6-8 hours. If you do not have time to soak, soak them in hot water for about 30 minutes to an hour.
  2. Once soaked, discard the water and wash them a couple of times.
  3. Add 3 cups of water and pressure cook for 2 whistles.
To Make Curry
  1. Heat oil in a saucepan or kadai, add cloves, cinnamon stick, green cardamon, bay leaf and cumin seeds. Let the cumin seeds sizzle a bit.
  2. Add finely chopped onions and let them cook for 5 minutes.
  3. Add finely chopped green chillies.
  4. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook the onions till they turn golden brown in colour.
  5. Add tomato puree, you can also add canned tomatoes here.
  6. Mix well and cook tomatoes till oil starts to separate.
  7. Add spices, Kashmiri red chilli powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, garam masala powder and salt to taste.
  8. Add 1/4th cup of water to prevent spices from burning.
  9. Let this masala cook till you see oil floating on top, stir frequently in between.
  10. Add the cooked peas (chavali).
  11. Add 2 cups of water for the gravy.
  12. Add turmeric powder and sugar(optional).
  13. Cover & let the curry simmer for 10 minutes.
  14. Lastly, add kasuri methi (dry fenugreek) and garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves. Squeez some lemon juice for that extra zing while serving.
  15. Delicious & healthy black-eyed peas curry (chavali chi usal) is ready. Serve it with rice or roti. Makes a complete balanced meal.

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