This Black Eyed Pea Lentil Soup with Sriracha Tadka is a perfect warming soup for winter. Spicy and filled with protein Vegan Gluten-free Nut-free Recipe. About 12 gms of protin per serving.

Recipe Snapshot

  • Prep time: 240 minutes
  • Cook time: 55 minutes
  • Total time: 295 minutes
  • Yield: 4
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: Gluten-free, Indian, Vegan

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup dry Lentils (Indian Brown Lentils/Whole Red/Sabut Masoor or use any Lentils)
  • 1/2 cup dry black eyed peas (or cow peas/raungi)
  • 2 teaspoons organic canola (or coconut oil)
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1/2 cup chopped red onion
  • 5-6 cloves garlic (chopped)
  • 1/2 inch ginger minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon or more garam masala (or curry powder or other spice blends like berbere)
  • 1/4 cup chopped celery (Optional)
  • 1/4 cup chopped green or red bell pepper (Optional)
  • 1-2 medium tomatoes (chopped)
  • 1 Tablespoon Sriracha or to taste (or soak a large dry red chili in vinegar until soft. then blend with 2 cloves of garlic)
  • 2.5 cups water (more for thinner consistency)
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt

Method

  1. Soak the black eyed peas and Lentils overnight or atleast 4 hours. Drain and rinse and keep ready.
  2. In a pressure cooker or a deep pan, add oil and heat on medium. Add cumin seeds and mix for a few seconds.
  3. Add in the ginger, garlic and onion and saute for 4-5 minutes or until onion is translucent.
  4. Add in all the spices and mix for a few seconds. Add in the celery and bell peppers if using, tomato and Sriracha to taste and cook for 4-5 minutes until tender and mushy.
  5. Add the rinsed beans, lentils, salt and water.
  6. Mix and pressure cook on medium heat for 4-5 whistles, or 15 minutes at high pressure after the high pressure. (manual 15 mins in the Instant Pot). Let the pressure release naturally.
  7. If making in a saucepan, add rinsed lentils+peas, 3 cups of water, salt, cover and cook for about an hour on medium heat, or until the black eyed peas are cooked.
  8. Taste for salt and spice. Add more garam masala/Sriracha if needed. Add more water if needed(depends on the method of cooking, the beans and your preference of the consistency)
  9. Serve hot topped with fresh cilantro or seasoning of choice. Serve with flatbread(Rotis, Naan) or Rice, or as a dip with pita bread, or a chili bowl with pickled jalapeno and crackers/chips, or a sloppy burger.

Kiyaan Singh’s Kitchen Note

Keep this recipe as a working base: cook once as written, then adjust spice, texture, and serving style for your own table.