Lobhiya Masala

Lobhiya masala is a spicy curry made with black eye beans in cabbage and tomato gravy. The blend of sweet, sour and hot flavors in this not so common curry, is just perfect to serve with any Indian bread or rice.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Black Eye Beans/ lobhiya soaked overnight or at least for 4-5 hours
• 100 gm cabbage chopped
• 2 medium sized tomatoes diced or grated
• 1/2 inch of ginger grated
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 1/2 tsp red chili powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp garam masala powder
• 1 tbsp oil
• salt to taste
• 1 1/2 tsp of tamarind chutney  or 1/2 tsp of tamarind pulp + 1 tsp of sugar
• fried shallots for garnish

Method:

1. Pressure cook soaked Black eye beans with enough water and salt on high till one whistle and then on slow for 3 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the pressure release on its own.
2. Heat a pan and oil to it. When hot, add cumin seeds and let them crackle.
3. Add cabbage and fry them until they turn translucent.
4. Add tomato, ginger, chili and coriander powder. Fry until it starts to leave the edges of the pan.
5. Add boiled black eye beans along with water, garam masala and tamarind chutney (or its substitute).
6. Mix well, crushing few beans to give a  uniform consistency to the gravy. Add boiling water. if needed to adjust the consistency.
7. Cook until everything comes to a boil.
8. Serve hot garnished with fried shallots and some more tamarind chutney, if you like.

Tip:

•  1 inch of water above the bean level in pressure cooker is generally sufficient to cook this, as this bean doesn't absorb much water.