Black-Eyed Peas and Eggplant Curry


Check out the various health benefits of eggplants at: http://www.well-beingsecrets.com/eggplant-health-benefits/

This is a one-pot dish that can be made easily in the pressure cooker and then I add the seasonings in the end (if you want a fat-free curry, you can skip the tadka part). I usually cook the beans first and then add them to the sauteed  vegetable mixture. A good combination with rice and just rasam or curd. This also goes well with chapathis and dosas. I usually make this with rice and rasam for lunch and rotate the same with chapathis for dinner.

Ingredients:
1. Black-eyed peas, 1 cup, washed and soaked for 3-4 hours.
2. Diced onion, 1/2 cup.
3. Chopped tomatoes, 1/2 cup.
4. Eggplants, any type, diced into wedges or small pieces, around 2 cups. I used a small Japanese eggplant. Soak the cut pieces in water until it is ready to be cooked to prevent blackening.
5. Ginger-garlic paste, 1/2 teaspoon.
6. Curry leaves, a few.
7. Chopped cilantro, close to a tablespoon, for garnishing.
8. Turmeric powder, a pinch.
9. Chili powder or sambar powder,1 teaspoon or less depending upon preferred heat level.
10. Mustard seeds, 1/4 teaspoon.
11. Cumin seeds, 1/2 teaspoon.
12. Salt, as per taste.

Preparation.
Cook the black-eyed peas until tender and keep aside. I used a pressure cooker and cooked the beans for 7 minutes for up to 2 whistles. Heat a pan with a tablespoon of oil. Once the oil is hot, add the mustard seeds and let it splutter, Then add the cumin seeds and fry for a few seconds. Now add the diced onions and saute for a few minutes until tender. Now add the chopped tomatoes, ginger-garlic paste, curry leaves, and keep sauteing until everything is blended. Now add the turmeric powder, chili powder, and chopped eggplants and mix everything well. Add 1/4 cup of water and let it simmer for 5 minutes until the eggplants are cooked. Finally add the black-eyed peas, mix well, and let it simmer for 2 more minutes and switch off the stove. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve hot with rice or chapathis.

4 comments:

Suja Manoj said...

Love the combo healthy curry

Hamaree Rasoi said...

Healthy and tasty looking curry. Very cute pic indeed.
Deepa

Unknown said...

Healthy and tasty curry!

Ms.Chitchat said...

Interesting addition of brinjal to the regular black eyed bean