Black - Eyed Pea Patties

I am always on the lookout for almost-vegan recipes. :) You must be wondering - almost vegan?? Yes. Almost-Vegan.  Meaning, I try my best to reduce the usage of oil and milk products. But as you would have understood by now, Indian food tastes best when you splash it with butter and ghee. :D

While on this pursuit I came across the black eyed pea patty recipe a lot of times. Each time I saw this I thought I would try this next time. And it went on for some time. Last day I came across this again. I decided it was time to try my hands on this J

All of the recipes I came across were Americanized ones. Meaning - low in spices and salt. So, I made mine with a “Desi” twist.

Ingredients

• Black eyed peas (soaked in water -> overnight) - 1/2 C
• Green chilli or Jalapenos - to taste
• Garlic, minced - 1 clove
• Bread (left over) - 1/2 C
• Lime Juice - 1 T
• Cilantro, chopped - 2 T
• Turmeric powder - 1/3 t
• Chilli Powder - to taste
• Amchur (dry mango) Powder - 1/2 t
• Garam Masala - a pinch
• Corn meal or starch - 1 T
• Salt - to taste
• Oil - 1 T

Method

For the mix

• Boil water in a pan and add the soaked peas & 1/2 t salt.
• Continue boiling until the peas turn soft.
• An alternative method to do this is to cook the black-eyed peas in a cooker up to 2 whistles.
• Once soft, drain the peas and make sure that it is not at all watery.
• Heat a pan with 1 t oil.
• Add green chilli, minced garlic and saute well for 2 mins.
• Add turmeric powder, chili powder, amchur powder and garam masala.
• Add bread, lime juice, cilantro, salt and mix well.
• Add the cooked black eyed peas and mix well.
• Mash the peas (partially mashed is good) and mix well.
• Remove from fire and keep aside to cool.

For the patties

• Divide the mixture into lemon-sized portions.
• Dust your hands and the plate (where the patties are placed) with corn flour or starch.
• Flatten the black eyed pea portions to form a patty-like shape.
• Dust the patties with a little corn flour or starch.
• Keep them aside.
• Heat a pan on medium fire.
• Once hot, add the patties and cook them on medium heat.
• Continue cooking till the patties turn golden brown on one side.
• Flip them and allow them to turn the same color as before.
• Remove from fire.
• Repeat the same for rest of the patties.
• Healthy and Yummy patties are ready!!