Ive been reviewing two popular posts on the blog, one on the customs and traditions for keeping Navarathri Golu, and the other for easy Navaratri Naivedyam and Sundals. In the second post I had suggested a different Sundal to be made for each day of Navarathri, with recipes for some of them. Now I am adding a recipe for one of the sundals I had suggested, viz Black Eyed Peas Sundal or Karamani Sundal. This is a traditional recipe as followed in Tamilnadu, and has a minimum of seasoning and ingredients.
You will find the recipe for Black Eyed Peas Sundal simple and easy to make. Just take the time to soak the karamani the previous night so that it cooks just right when you need it the next day. If you plan to make the Sundal in the evening, set it to soak in the morning so that it gets about 7-8 hours of soaking time.
As I had said earlier, this is a traditional recipe with few ingredients and depends on fresh coconut for flavour. For a change in taste, substitute fresh chillies for dry red chillies and add coriander leaves and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Lemon juice may be used in addition to or instead of the coconut.
The Black Eyed Peas Sundal adds to the varieties of sundals offered as naivedyam for Navaratri Pooja and served to guests who visit the Navaratri golu. It also serves as a quick to make and nutritious snack as well as a tasty addition to the tiffin box for school or office.
This legume is known by various names across the world – black eyed peas, lobia, cowpeas, string beans etc. The black eyed pea, along with most legumes, is rich in fibre, iron, vitamins, minerals and protein. Studies suggest that regularly consuming beans and peas may lower blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, as well as reduce belly fat. However it may cause digestive issues for some people, and hence is not suggested as a staple food or to be taken frequently or in large quantities. Soaking or fermenting the bean before cooking and consuming them when well cooked would help alleviate digestive distress. Portion control may be considered as the black eyed peas contain a fair level of carbs. Ref: Healthline.com
The theme for the FB Group where I am a member, FoodieMondayBlogHop, is ‘Navaratri Special’, and this post fits right into the theme!
Black Eyed Peas Sundal - Traditional Karamani Sundal
Ingredients
To cook the Black eyed peas
- 1 cup dried black eyed peas - /lobia/ cowpeas/ dried string beans
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups water for cooking - to cover the surface of the beans
- ¼ cup fresh grated coconut
For Tempering
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon Mustard seeds
- 2 Dry red Chillies - /or fresh green chillies as an option
- ¼ teaspoon asafoetida powder
- a few curry leaves
Garnish - optional
- ¼ cup Fresh coriander leaves
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice - in addition to or instead of grated coconut
Instructions
Previous day preparation
- Roast the karamani/ black eyed peas in a hot dry pan, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes. Soak the beans overnight in water just about a cm more than the level of the beans.
Cooking the black eyed peas
- Drain the beans from the water in which soaked. Rinse Pressure cook with ½ teaspoon of salt and with water just sufficient to cover the surface of the beans. Cook for one whistle. Turn off the stove and allow the cooker to release steam completely on its own before opening it. (about 10 mins) Drain the beans after removing from the cooker. They should be cooked soft but not mushy.
Tempering the Sundal
- Heat a pan and add oil. Sesame oil will give the authentic taste, but otherwise any vegetable oil may be used. Add the mustard seeds, and once they crackle, add chillies and let them scald on both sides. Add hing/ asafoetida powder and then the curry leaves. I usually shred the curry leaves before adding to the tempering, so that there are better chances of their being eaten rather than discarded. Fresh curry leaves will usually splutter so stand back a little when adding them to the hot oil
- Add the cooked, drained, salted beans. Stir well into the tempering. Add the grated coconut, stir and remove the pan from the fire.
- Add optional garnish as desired - minced coriander leaves and a fresh lemon juice. Your Karamani Sundal is ready!
Innovative recipe and lovely share!!!
Welcome onboard Sujata…I believe we are interacting for the first time over here… Love ~ Kriti 🙂
Thank you Kriti! And I hope this will be the first of many interactions and discussions!
I just love this karamani sundal. Love the sundal varieties during festivities. Fantastic share for the theme.
Thank you so much, Preethi!
I love lobia beans and often add boiled ones with fruits and veggies in my salads. Making a sundal with black eyed beans is fantastic. Would surely try your recipe di. Thanks for the share .
Thank you, Poonam!
Black eyed sundal sounds nutritious and mouthwatering as well. Perfect share for the theme. Will surely try when I’ll have black eyed beans next 🙂
Thank you, Sasmita!
The comfort of Sundal and the knowledge that it is good for us makes me make sundal so often. I am so thrilled to see this wonderful editing inspite of a new device to work from.. and yes spotted the book
Thank you, Seema. I was thinking of you and Vidya Narayan when I placed the book ready for the photograph! The Samaithu Paar has somehow stood the test of time and changing tastes!
My favourite and the “oh so tasty” brigade for Prasad! Yes its Prasad so has to be tasty!
Thank you, Amrita!
I love sundal. Usually make green gram sundal. Black eyed sundal sounds nutritious and mouthwatering. Perfect share for the theme. Bookmaking it to try soon.
Thank you Sujata Roy! Navaratri time you will see all these different Sundal varieties everywhere online!
I love black eyed beans so am sure this sundal must be delicious. Healthy and easy to make. I really have to make a sundal soon, never made them.
Thank you Mayuri. Yes, Sundal is easy and tasty as well as nutritious, makes a great evening snack or tiffin box item. We have to remember to soak the beans overnight, that’s all!
I love karamani and I absolutely adore sundal. The combination of both sounds and looks heavenly! 🙂
Thank you, Priya!
Black eyed peas sundal is one of my favourites. I like mixing this with curd rice and eating especially during the hot October month. I love the addition of lemon juice.
Thank you Vidya and thanks for the idea of having Sundal with curd rice!