Black Eyed Pea Lentil Soup with Sriracha Tadka

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

Steps

1. 1

   Soak the black eyed peas and Lentils overnight or atleast 4 hours. Drain and rinse and keep ready.

2. 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. 3

   Add in the ginger, garlic and onion and saute for 4-5 minutes or until onion is translucent.

4. 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. 5

   Add the rinsed beans, lentils, salt and water.

6. 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. 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. 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. 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.