Punjabi Lobia Masala – a healthy, protein packed curry made with black eyed peas using pantry staples and an onion tomato base. This easy electric pressure cooker recipe is ideal for weeknights and is great with rice or rotis.
What is Lobia?
Lobia, known as black eyed peas in english, is a staple in so many Indian homes. Known as Chawli, Karamani and Rongni in different regions, these nutrient dense beans are quite common in Indian cuisine.
Punjabi style black eyed peas curry
Beans appear regularly in my everyday meals. One of my favorite ways to use black eyed peas is to make this Punjabi style Lobia Masala.
This naturally vegan and gluten free curry can be
- prepped ahead of time and stored for 3 days in the fridge.
- frozen and enjoyed with rice or Rotis, when you are short of time.
- batch cooked.
- combined with other vegetables like Methi, Spinach or potatoes to add some more nutrition and texture.
Instant Pot Lobia Masala
You can make the same black eyed peas curry in any electric pressure cooker or even in a stove top pressure cooker. I have used my 6 quart Instant Pot today.
Pressure cooker Lobia Masala
Follow all the steps for sauteeing . Close the pressure cooker’s lid and cook for 6 to 7 whistles on low flame.
Once done, switch off flame and let pressure release naturally. If you find the curry watery, mash the beans slightly. Simmer the curry for 3 to 4 mins and your pressure cooker Lobia masala will be done.
Bean/Chili Preset Mode For Cooking Legumes and Beans
There s a preset menu available for making beans or chili in the Instant Pot. However, I have used the pressure cooking mode today to cook my curry.
Check out this easy no oil butternut squash chili. This one is a brilliant weeknight dinner ideal for chilly nights.
Why didnt my black eyed peas cook well?
Black eyed peas is one of the trickiest beans to cook in an instant pot or pressure cooker.
Any recipe that uses black eyed peas in combination with tomato takes longer to cook because of the acidic nature of tomatoes. This is what i have observed many times.
Similarly, your black eyed peas may not be cooked as easily because they are old. Fresh black eyed peas take lesser time to cook and also need not be hydrated for longer time.
In case you are not sure about the age of the beans, then make sure you hydrate them for at least 6 hours. This will help in cooking faster.
Tomato Paste vs Fresh Tomatoes in Curries
So, you are out of tomatoes. But are really desperate to make this delicious recipe. Then, feel free to substitute the fresh tomatoes with 1 to 2 tbsp tomato paste.
You can also use tomato puree to make this curry.
If you are using tomato puree, you ll need 1 c of tomato puree. Both homemade and store bought tomato puree work well in this recipe.
Substitutes for Garlic Paste
Most Indian households stock ginger garlic paste but not garlic paste.
In case you do not have access to garlic paste, then substitute it with 2 to 3 small cloves of garlic that has been minced very finely.
Water Measurements
I have used 250 ml of water to make this curry.
I have not tried with water less than this. However, if you are using tomato paste in place of the fresh tomatoes, you will need up to 300 ml of water.
In case you are using tomato puree, then you will require only 200 ml of water.
If you are using a pressure cooker to make this curry, then use only 250 ml of water in all the cases.
How to serve?
This protein rich curry pairs well with everything from plain basmati rice to rotis. Check out these sides to serve with this homestyle black eyed peas curry.
Mint Paratha- Layered flatbreads with mint flavor
Lobia Masala In Electric Pressure Cooker
I have used two modes of cooking today to make this curry.
First is the saute mode. We initially sauteed all the ingredients. For this, we set the Instant Pot to Saute mode for 6 mins.
Then once i sauteed the ingredients, I added the beans and water. Then I pressure cooked this on high pressure for 10 mins using the pressure cook mode.
Once done, I let the pressure release naturally.
Then I turned on the saute mode again, mashed the beans a little, simmered the curry for 3 to 4 mins and finally garnished it.
Step by step guide to make Instant Pot Lobia
You can see the step wise pictures for making this Indian style Black eyed peas curry in the gallery below.
Punjabi style Lobia Masala – Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas Curry
Ingredients
- 1.5 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 c finely chopped onions
- 1 tsp garlic paste
- 1.75 tsp salt or to taste
- 2 tsp ground coriander
- 3/4 tsp paprika
- 1.5 c well hydrated black eyed peas refer post for more details
- 250 ml water
- 2 tbsp finely chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Turn on the Instant Pot, insert the inner pot into the Instant Pot and set it to Saute mode on 6 mins
- Add the oil and allow it to heat up.
- Once hot, add the cumin seeds and crackle them.
- When the cumin crackles, add the onions and garlic paste. Mix well and saute them on 1.5 to 2 mins or until onions turn soft and pink.
- Once done, add the spice powders along with salt, mix well and saute for 30 secs taking care not to burn them.
- Now, add tomatoes, mix and saute until tomatoes turn mushy.
- When tomatoes are mushy, add the beans and water. Mix well.
- Switch off saute mode. Close the Instant Pot with the lid and turn the pressure valve to Sealing position.
- Set the Instant Pot to Pressure cook mode on high pressure for 10 mins.
- Once cooked, wait for pressure to release naturally.
- When pressure drops, open, mix well and switch on the saute mode again and set it to 4 mins.
- Mash the beans slightly using a potato masher. Mix well and simmer for 4 mins. This is to reduce the water and thicken the curry.
- Garnish with cilantro leaves. Mix well and your Lobia Masala is ready to be served.
For Instant Pot & Air Fryer Recipes
Instant Pot timings may vary based on your geographic location. Air fryer settings and timings may vary based on the capacity and the model of the Air fryer.
Disclaimer
Nutrition values are provided here as a courtesy and are only a rough guide. Please consult a health care provider if you have any concerns.
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