Black Eyed Beans Stir Fry : Sri Lankan Breakfast

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

5 from 7 votes

This Black Eyed Beans Stir Fry is a popular Sri Lankan Breakfast and it is easy to cook.Also called as black eyed peas or cowpea,this beans are packed with protein and other nutrients.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: Sri Lankan

Calories: 0.116

Ingredients Method Notes

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

Method

 

Preparation

1. Soak black eyed beans in water for about 6 hours.
   
   

Cooking

1. 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

1. 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.