Memories of Alasandalu or Black eye Peas goes back a long way down the memory lane. I remember eating this as a 7 year old kid in my hometown. When we visit our paternal grandparents place, this used to be the special dish prepared for us. Somehow I don't think we can ever bring back that taste again if we prepare it now.

We often prepare this kura at home many times, the memories gush in strongly yet the taste quite don't match the memories associated with that village. In those days, houses built were of different pattern. The ceiling used to be of coconut reefs with the rooms built separately. The kitchen used to be a separate room, quite dark as electricity being a rare commodity. Even when you enter the room during noon, the place is quite dark. My granny used to cook in that room. It carries a smell so unique. The dinning table was only for two people and I remember being served food along with my brother. I can still feel that smell sniffing around when I close my eyes and think about it. It rains ice in my village, it was one particular day I remember so clearly when I saw rain falling down as ice. That was my first and last time I have ever seen it, though Amma says its quite common in that place those days. Not really sure if they are ever getting it now.

Coming back to Alasandalu, after my post on this Ingredient, I am eager to include this more in our diet. But this Alasandalu Kura as Amma calls it, is prepared quite frequently at ma's place. During the season, its either Alasandalu Charu or Kura.at home. Yummy, just thinking about those makes me want them. Well just to have a different lunch box than the usual dal types, I make these for lunch. And of course it was quite enjoyable with Majjiga Mirapakaya.

Today's Lunch Box had

Alasandalu Kura
Plain Rice
Biyam Vadiyallu
Majjiga Mirapakaya
Curd Rice.

Alasandalu Kura

Preparation Time : 10 mins
Cooking Time : 20 mins
Cuisine : Andhra

Ingredients Needed:

Black-eye Peas / Alasandalu - 1 cup ( 100gms)
Brinjal / Eggplant - 3 medium
Onions - 1 big
Tomatoes - 2 medium
Chilli powder - 1 tsp
Coriander powder - 1 tsp
Turmeric powder a pinch
Coconut paste - 2 tbsp
Oil - 2 tsp
Salt to taste

Seasoning

Curry leaves
Coriander leaves
Mustard Seeds + Urud Dal - 1/2 tsp

Method to prepare:

Normally Black eye peas needs to be soaked overnight for getting a tender ones, but preparing this is on the spur, then you can dry roast it and pressure cook it once its cool. I put this on 4 whistles to get soft peas.

Chop Onions and tomatoes. Chop Brinjals into long pieces. Heat oil in the cooker, add seasoning, then onions. Sauté well, Then add Brinjal and simmer till they are half cooked. Then add tomatoes with chilli powder, coriander powder and turmeric pw with salt.

Let the tomatoes get soft, then add the cooked peas along with coconut paste. Add required water and pressure cook for 1 whistle. Check if thickness is enough. Normally the amount of coconut paste depends on the chilli pw added. If you want more hot, then add less coconut paste.

Majjiga Mirapakaya

This is quite famous and a must in South India. We see these done during summer and stored for all seasons. This suits if you are person for spicy tangy things with your Curd Rice!

Ingredients needed

Green Chillies Long - 10 nos
Curds/ Yogurt - 1 cup (First time)
Salt to taste
Tamarind (optional)
Cumin powder - 1tsp

Method to prepare:

Slit chillies and remove seeds. Mix Salt and Cumin powder. Extract juice from tamarind. Apply this to the inside of the chilies and stuff with the cumin and salt powder.

In a bowl of beaten curds, dip the stuffed chillies, so that its nicely coated with the curds. Then dry it in hot sun.

Repeat the dipping in curds every night for a week, till its nicely soft and yet stiff.

Fry these in hot oil as accompaniment for Curd Rice. Tastes heaven!

Hope you enjoyed as I did!

Recipe

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Alasandalu Kura, Majjiga Mirapakaya ~ Lunch Box Series : LBS#11

Course Main Dish - Gravies

Cuisine Andhra Pradesh

Author Srivalli

Tried this recipe?Mention @cooking4all or tag #cooking4all!

Comments

Jyothi says

September 07, 2007 at 5:15 pm

Wow! I like alasandalu/black eye peas. I used to prepare as normal curry. Never tried with other veggies. Next time, I will try this. Thanks for sharing.

TBC says

September 07, 2007 at 2:02 pm

That looks delicious.
I like having fried chillies with curd-rice.

Happy cook says

September 07, 2007 at 2:26 pm

Two months back i bought a small pack of black eyed peas. Till now i didn't make anything but now wiyh your recipe i can.
Thankyou

Rama says

September 07, 2007 at 3:48 pm

Hi srivalli,Today lunchbox curry is very good, from many days iam searching for allasavdulu with brinjal curry i did't get the receipe, at my childhood my mom was doing this curry, thank u very much by the by where r u right now our timings r different from u so that iam asking, iam in USA

Padma says

September 07, 2007 at 4:02 pm

I would love to do this kura and also your biyam vadiyalu ...kaani eppudu chestano teludu...mee LBS vantalu noru oristundi...thanks for all those wonderful series...Last summer I made those oora mirapakayalu....

Asha says

September 07, 2007 at 4:54 pm

You eat a great lunch! Mine is always leftovers and sometimes when I don't have any,I make Bhelpuri out of rice crispies which I love!:D
Alasande kootu looks yum,I love it.

Tee says

September 07, 2007 at 5:27 pm

Srivalli, your lunch boxes are always so delicious and wholesome! Love all your ideas 🙂

Mansi Desai says

September 07, 2007 at 6:02 pm

Wow, I just love curd rice!! i wouldn't eat anything else then!!:)

Raaga says

September 09, 2007 at 6:36 am

even I had karamani sundal last week 🙂

Srivalli says

September 12, 2007 at 9:12 am

TBC, thanks ..fried chillies are always great

Happy cook, sure..do try and let me know

Rama, thanks for dropping by. You are welcome. I am in Madras India.

Padma, thanks. These get me going!

Asha, thanks for the nice words. Your too

Jyothi, welcome

Tee, thanks for the nice words.

Mansi, good to know that

Raaga, great..

Suganya says

September 12, 2007 at 4:36 pm

An absolute feast to the eyes. Love the hot gravy with crispy karuvadams.

Recipe

Alasandalu Kura, Majjiga Mirapakaya ~ Lunch Box Series : LBS#11

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