In Sri Lankan cooking, you will notice many different beans and peas. We cook those in different ways including, stir fries and curries. This is why I want to share this really delicious black eyed beans stir fry as it will be another addition to your meal.
Well, if you wonder with different names for the same or similar legume, don’t get confused. All these are almost same or same. As per Wikipedia, Black eyed peas are a subspecies of the cowpea. In Sri Lanka we usually call it as Cowpea or Kawpi. Sometimes these beans are called as black eyed peas. Anyway, not to confuse further I will use the name Black eyed beans stir fry through this post. If you use the term Black eyed peas or even cowpea, yes you can still try this same recipe to cook with your favourite beans.
How to cook Black-eyed beans?
You can easily cook black eyed beans in different ways. It can be a black eyed beans curry or black eyed beans stir fry or even a salad, be sure to use well cooked beans to reduce the cooking time.
So, here is how to prepare black eyed beans for any recipe.
- First wash the black eyed beans.
- Then soak in water for at least 6 hours.
- After that, boil black eyed beans for around 30 minutes or until soft.
- Drain water. Black eyed beans are ready to go to any recipe.
Tips for cooking black eyed Peas
- Always Plan your cooking the day before. So, you can soak black eyed beans overnight. It will reduce the cooking time.
- Add a pinch of baking soda when you soak in water. This step will help to soften the black eyed beans.
- Add salt to the water when you cook or boil black eyed peas. It will add flavor to the beans.
- Don’t throw the drained water from black eyed beans. Why? You can use the boiled black eyed beans water in the curry, if you plan it as a curry. In Sri Lanka, we use this water as a healthy drink. So, you can even drink it or use in a soup.
- You can freeze boiled black eyed beans in the freezer. So, you have black eyed beans ready when you want to cook. I usually freeze this peas and have tried up to 1 month. Good for working moms and better than canned beans.
Other black-eyed beans recipes (cowpea recipes)
There are different ways to use black eyed beans in recipes. Below are some of the ways I use black eyed beans to our meal preparation.
Boiled black eyed beans:
This is the easiest Sri Lankan recipe with black eyed beans. Simply boil your black eyed beans. Add some salt. Serve with fresh grated coconut and katta sambola. A simple Sri Lankan breakfast is ready.
Black eyed beans curry:
You can cook these beans in a curry. I have shared 2 recipes so far. Check this Cowpea curry with coconut and this Sri Lankan Cowpea curry on how to cook.
Black eyed beans salad:
Other than a stir fry, you can also cook this as a salad. Check this cowpea salad recipe.
Above are some of the easy ways to cook black eyed beans. Below is our latest recipe.Yes,it is on how to stir fry black eyed beans. Try this Sri Lankan style recipe. Dont forget to let me know the outcome.
Recipe: Black eyed beans Stir fry (Cowpea stir fry /Black eyed peas stir fry)
Ingredients: (for 3-4 servings)
2 cups black eyed beans
1-2 tbs red chilli flakes
2-3 dried red chilli
2 sprigs of Curry leaves
1 inch piece rampe.
1 medium sized onion sliced
1 tspn mustard seeds
1-2 tbs oil to fry
salt to taste
(baking soda-optional)
Method
Preparation
Soak black eyed beans in water for about 6 hours.
Cooking
To prepare this Black-eyed beans stir fry, you need boiled or cooked beans.
First boil soaked black eyed beans until soft.
Drain the water. Keep aside.
Tempering
Heat 1-2 tbsp. oil in a pan.
When oil is hot, add mustard seeds.
When mustard seeds start popping up, add onion.
At the time onions are emitting aroma and become tender add curry leaves.
Stir well. Add dried red chilli. Add a piece of Rampe to the mix.
Mix well.
Then add chili flakes & mix.
Finally add boiled black eyed beans.
Mix well. Add and adjust salt to taste.
Tempered black-eyed peas are ready to serve.
Enjoy!
How to serve?
Well,for me this is an easy Sri Lankan breakfast recipe.Simply serve with fresh grated coconut and you have a delicious protein packed and vegetarian breakfast.
If you don’t want this to be in your breakfast,then serve as a side with plain rice.
Below is the printable recipe:
Black Eyed Beans Stir Fry : Sri Lankan Breakfast
Ingredients
- 2 cups Black eyed beans
- 2 tbsp Red chili flakes
- 2 nos Dried red chili
- 2 sprigs Curry leaves
- 1 piece rampe
- 1 no medium sized onion sliced
- 1 tspn mustard seeds
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
- salt as per taste
Instructions
Preparation
- Soak black eyed beans in water for about 6 hours.
Cooking
- To prepare this Black-eyed beans stir fry, you need boiled or cooked beans.
First boil soaked black eyed beans until soft.
Drain the water. Keep aside.
Tempering
- Heat 1-2 tbsp. oil in a pan.
When oil is hot, add mustard seeds.
When mustard seeds start popping up, add onion.
At the time onions are emitting aroma and become tender add curry leaves.
Stir well. Add dried red chilli. Add a piece of Rampe to the mix.
Mix well.
Then add chili flakes & mix.
Finally add boiled black eyed beans.
Mix well. Add and adjust salt to taste.
Tempered black-eyed peas are ready to serve.
Enjoy!
Notes
- Always Plan your cooking the day before. So, you can soak black eyed beans overnight. It will reduce the cooking time.
- Add a pinch of baking soda when you soak in water. This step will help to soften the black eyed beans.
- Add salt to the water when you cook or boil black eyed peas. It will add flavor to the beans.
- Don’t throw the drained water from black eyed beans. Why? You can use the boiled black eyed beans water in the curry, if you plan it as a curry. In Sri Lanka, we use this water as a healthy drink. So, you can even drink it or use in a soup.
- You can freeze boiled black eyed beans in the freezer. So, you have black eyed beans ready when you want to cook. I usually freeze this peas and have tried up to 1 month. Good for working moms and better than canned beans.
22 comments
Mmm yummy! When I looked at this post it didn’t occur to me that this dish would be a breakfast item, but it sure does look good. I’ll have to try this out.
Oh wow, this looks really delicious! Interesting tips about saving the drained water from the beans and using it in the curry. Love this!
What an interesting breakfast. I don’t think I’ve ever had anything like this before. I will have to give it a try, but I’d probably have it for lunch!
Your picture is stunning..looks so delicious. I love black eyed peas. I wish I ate it more than just the holidays. This looks spicy and full of flavor. I’m going to have to try it.
I have always LOVED black eyed peas! ALWAYS! And there’s part of my family’s tradition too – we eat a spoonful EVERY January 1 for good luck!!! 🙂
Loved this recipe. I have cooked cowpea mixed veg curry with coconut but never tried this. It’s so simple and healthy. Definitely going to try this. Thank you for sharing Amila
I love that this is vegan! it’s hard to find good vegan recipes that taste as good as non-vegan recipes. Cheese is my downfall…
I’ve never had a chance to try any food from Sri Lanka! That looks truly delicious and I’d love to prepare it for my family. 🙂
I eat beans fairly often, but I don’t think I’ve had cowpeas before. It’s such a different kind of breakfast than I am used to here in the US, and I love it! I imagine you can get the beans prepared in advance (just to boiled stage) and store in the refrigerator overnight? I like to sleep in as late as I can!
Wow, this looks so appetizing! I love adding beans to everything. I need to give this a try!
I’m not really a fan of black-eyed beans because it’s made in a particular way in Maharashtra. But, maybe if I try it out the Sri Lankan way, I might like it. Thanks for sharing this! It’s always fun to try new recipes with the same food.
Oh wow this looks good. I always appreciate beans but my husband hates them so I’ll be making this when he is away.
This Black Eyed Beans Stir Fry looks delicious! I have never tried it before but I would like to try to make it for a Saturday morning breakfast. . I like your tip about planning your meal beforehand to save time! Thank you for sharing
That looks like temptingly delicious. I am now in the stage that appreciate and love beans so this is something i will try to do at home.
This dish looks delicious! My husband and I love to eat anything with beans or lentils. Both are so healthy and also so tasty especially when done with various spices.
I’m not sure I should have read this post while my husband is cooking dinner – now I want to send him back to the supermarket and get the ingredients for this!
I’ve only had Black Eyed Peas plain but have always wondered how else they could be prepared. I can’t wait to give this recipe a try. It looks so delicious and flavorful.
I tried black eyes beans stir fry during my visit to Sri Lanka last year. Your recipe looks great and I’m gonna try!
Hi Amila, I love your blog and your delicious recipes, maybe we can do a collab!
Hiya Amila, great tip on pre-cooking and freezing the beans ahead of time 🙂 When cooking, would you need to thaw the beans ahead of time, or can you add the cooked beans directly from frozen? Thanks!
Hi May, sorry for delay in replying as I didn’t log in for few weeks 🙂
I usually thaw before using it in a recipe. If you use directly from frozen, it may take time to cook. At the same time, there will be more water too. Not recommended if you use it in a frying recipe…