This is a classic Kenyan dish. It is fragrant, grounding and flavour packed. It’s filling, vegan and when combined with rice provides a complete protein.
Black-eyed beans are a favourite of mine, as my grandma used to cook them in a deep tomato, onion gravy (recipe also on the blog), once a week. They are a subspecies of the cowpea, on old world plant domesticated in Africa. They are eaten in new years and thought to reflect resistance and bring prosperity.
In Ayurveda, black-eyed beans are seen as astringent and so good for Pitta and Kapha. They need to be cooked well for Vata and when paired with the right spices can be converted to a wonderful and grounding dish.
Mr. B thought it was strange to put peanut butter into a savoury dish, as he usually expects it paired with jelly, but loved the hearty earthy undertones that it brought to the dish.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of black-eyed beans, soaked overnight
- ¼ cup unsalted roasted peanuts or 3 tbsp. peanut butter
- 2 tbsp. oil
- 1 yellow onion, small diced
- 1 tsp. ground coriander
- 1 tsp. ground turmeric
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- ¼ tsp. salt
- 1 large tomato, chopped
Method
- Drain the peas, cover with water 2 inches above the peas. Bring to the boil and simmer until peas are cooked through. C. 30-45 minutes
- If using peanuts, grind them in a blender or spice mixture till you get the texture of sand
- Add oil to a pan and heat to a medium heat, add the onion and a pinch of salt and saute till transparent, c. 5 minutes.
- Add the tomato and salt and cook till some of the moisture is gone. C 2 minutes
- Add the coriander, turmeric and cumin and cook till fragrant, c. 30 seconds
- Add the black-eyed peas, peanuts or peanut butter and one cup of water. Mix in, cook to meld the flavors for a few minutes and taste to adjust for seasoning.
Addendum:
- The original recipe for this uses canned beans. If you choose to do the same, wash them a few times and try and purchase a low sodium version.
- If you like a little spice, add ¼ tsp. chili flakes when adding the spices
- You can add some green veggies to bulk this dish up a little, just add 5 minutes from the end and simmer.
