Blackeyed Peas
This is a spicy variation on blackeyed peas. At the beginning of
this presentation, we learned the reason why people in America are
always busy chasing after rock-n-roll, hip-hop, and all sorts of
other things: because they don't have enough fun eating! Krishna Kripa
promised that this recipe would take us to new highs in eating canned
food...
Ingredients
- 2 15 oz cans blackeyed peas (or you can use dry or frozen beans)
- 1 can (14 oz) cut stewed tomatoes (or, you can cut some fresh ones)
- 2 serrano chillies (quartered lengthwise)
- 1.5 Tbsp chopped ginger
- 1.5 Tbsp ghee or oil
- 1.5 Tbsp lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- salt
- black pepper
- Spices:
- 1/4 tsp mustard seeds
- 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
- 1/2 tsp ajwan seeds (an Indian seed similar to oregano)
- 1/4 tsp hing
- 1 tsp powdered cumin
- 1 tsp powdered coriander
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
Preparation
Put the ghee or oil and a pan on high heat and let it melt down a bit.
Now, make a chawnk by adding the mustard seeds and cumin seeds
to the oil and waiting for the seeds to start cracking loudly. After they
start popping, add the ajwan and hing. Stir those around in the oil a bit.
Now add in the 2 quartered chilies and the chopped ginger. These two
ingredients really give this recipe its kick. You'll find that the recipe
for Gurupriya's Creamed Corn Surprise
also uses these ingredients. They work well with canned food preparations.
On that note, add the cans of peas -- it's best if you drain the
water first, but it's not absolutely necessary. Stir the mixture and let
it cook a little bit. Add just a little bit of salt and black pepper (about
1/4 tsp each) and bring the mixture to a boil.
As it boils, add the powdered cumin, coriander, and turmeric. The turmeric
in particular will give this recipe a bitter flavor. Let the mix boil for
about 5 minutes with the pot covered. When that's done, add the can
of stewed tomatoes. Keep it boiling uncovered for another 6-7 minutes,
stirring occasionally.
Now add 1.5 Tablespoons of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Stir
thoroughly. Let the recipe simmer in the pot with its lid on for just a
little while longer.
Variations
Works well with a variety of canned food items. You can definitely use
different types of beans instead of blackeyed peas.
Adjust the spices according to taste and availability.