I have secrets.  Delicious secrets.  There are many recipes I’ve made, a few that I’ve won ribbons for, that I’ve never shared.  (Not on purpose, mind you, I just forget!)  But I can hide this one from you no longer.  I stumbled across this old picture in my Garam Masala post while I was indexing all my recipes, and since it seemed so bright and cheerful I thought it would be a nice one to share with you now that the weather is bright and cheerful.

This was one of the first Indian dishes I ever made.  In fact, I think it was THE very first.  I can still remember the delicious flavor and how taken I was with the dish at first bite.  I know it seems strange to use black-eyed peas in a curry dish, but I promise you, it works.  I may keep secrets, but I wouldn’t lie to you.  This curry is fantastic!

Bean Curry

Printable recipe
Printable recipe with picture

1 tablespoon canola oil
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
1 large tomato, chopped
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
pinch cayenne, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon Garam Masala
3/4 cup half and half
1 cup vegetable stock or chicken broth
1 can black-eyed peas, lightly drained
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion; saute 5 minutes or until translucent and slightly browned. Stir in garlic and grated ginger root; stir constantly for 30 seconds. Add tomato; cook for 2 minutes. Stir in turmeric, cayenne, salt, paprika, and garam masala; stir constantly for 30 seconds. Add half and half, stock, and black-eyed peas. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in cilantro. Serve immediately with rice, chapati, or naan. Although it doesn’t show in the picture, the curry has plenty of sauce to go over your rice.  I recall draining it off for this plate to make a better picture.  That doesn’t count as a lie…does it? ;)

Makes 4 servings.  

Per serving (calculated with 1 cup white rice): 188 calories; 9.5 g fat; 23 g carbohydrates; 5 g fiber; 5 g protein; 10 Points Plus

Recipe source: Mel’s Kitchen Cafe