Black eyed beans or cow peas are called alasandalu or bobbarlu in telugu, alasandi in kannada and Lobia or chawli in hindi. Bobbarlu have high nutritional values so they are used to make Alasanda vada or lobia vada in karnatatka and Andhra. These vada are quite popular and sold in the streets stalls. I also make a alasandalu biryani and it makes a great winter food even for the lunch box.
Alasandalu or lobia are also used to make lobia curry or lobia masala, at home we call it as alasandalu koora.
These are soaked overnight then cooked till soft and used in curries. Lobia also go well with some veggie like lauki (sorakaya), potato, sweet potato or beetroot. Even spinach (palak) or amaranth or methi leaves can also be used to make a lobia curry.
Alasandalu koora goes well with plain rice and best suited with philka or chapathi. If serving with chapathi , I suggest as accompanying a bowl full of vegetable salad.
more similar recipes with beans,
green gram curry
navadhanya guggilu
punjabi chole masala
learn to make lobia curry or alasandalu curry with the recipe below
Alasandalu curry | bobbarlu curry | lobia curry recipe
Ingredients (1 cup = 240ml )
- 1 cup alasandalu , soaked. / lobia / black eyed peas
- ½ cup onions , chopped
- 1 green chili
- 1 tomato , small, (optional)
- 1 potato , large , boiled and cubed (optional)
- Leafy veggies like spinach or methi as needed
- 1 sprig curry leaves
- ¾ tsp ginger garlic paste (can use only ginger too)
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ¼ to ½ tsp garam masala or coriander powder (optional)
- ¼ tsp mustard
- ½ tsp cumin
- Oil as needed
How to make the recipe
- To make bobbarlu curry, wash and soak alasandalu for at least 8 to 10 hrs.
- Pressure cook till soft not mushy. I pressure cook for 2 whistles.
- Take 2 tbsp. boiled alasandalu /lobia and grind to smooth paste with little water. Set aside the rest of the black eyed beans.
- Heat a pan with oil, add curry leaves, chili, mustard and cumin, once they begin to crackle, add hing.
- Add onions, sprinkle some salt and fry till they turn pink.
- Add ginger garlic paste and sauté till the raw smell goes away.
- Add tomato, turmeric and little more salt. Fry till the tomatoes turn mushy, totally mushy.
- Add boiled potatoes or any leafy veggies and sauté for a min.
- Add red chili powder and fry for a min.
- Pour water as needed and bring it to a boil.
- Add the ground paste, beans and garam masala. Cook on a low flame for 5 to 7 mins with the lid closed. Adjust more or less water as needed.
- Serve alasandalu curry with roti or rice.
NUTRITION (estimation only)
Alternative quantities provided in the recipe card are for 1x only, original recipe.
If you are new to cooking, follow my detailed step by step photo instructions for best results.
step by step photos on making alasandalu curry or bobbarlu curry
Dee says
Love your recipes and how straightforward they are – keep at it !
swasthi says
Thank you Dee
Deepthi says
Tried it and all of us loved it.. Thanks for the tasty recipe Swasthi.. Can you also post Alasanda biryani recipe you mentioned in the post.. Would love to try that too
swasthi says
Hello Deepthi,
Glad you all loved it. I make it the same way as this vegetable biryani. Just skip the yogurt. I precook the beans until soft. In pressure cooker they need about 3 whistles on medium heat. Or in instant pot about 20 minutes. Once cooked, measure the stock/water left after cooking. Use that plus more plain water to cook the biryani. I usually pour 2 to 3 tbsps more water for 1.5 cups rice. You can make it even with black chana,kabuli chana, rajma etc Hope this helps.
Deepthi says
Oh thanks Swasthi.. I only tried to make chole rice earlier, basically made chole and added rice.. But I like your version,I feel the flavor will be more pronounced by using the stock.. Will try it and let you know 😊
swasthi says
Welcome Deepthi
Hope you like it
Aisha says
I made this yesterday and really liked how it turned out – wholesome, delicious and versatile. Jazaak Allah khairaan
swasthi says
Hi Aisha
Thank you so much dear
d.p.k.chowdary.. says
high protein food and become more healthy and muscle development and strengthy…
Chitz says
I make this often.. But without grinding it & mostly with brinjal.. Looks yum yum 🙂
Nilu A says
I love black-eyed beans but never prepared it this way… Looks lovely Swasthi… Thanks for sharing the recipe dear 🙂
Maha Gadde says
Delicious combination, looks tempting!<br />MAHA
Sanoli Ghosh says
Very healthy and delectable lobia curry Swasthi.
Suja Manoj says
Never cooked lobia this way,curry looks yummy
divya says
wow ..it looks fab …so tempting
Julie says
delicious combo,yummy!!
Rumana Ambrin says
I had cooked this last night.. Delicious..
PT says
always tempting.. like this combo of lobia and potato..
Premas Culinary says
Healthy yummy curry,nice version…
Priya Suresh says
An excellent curry, can have it with anything..Nutritious and delicious.
Phong Hong says
I like beans so I think I will like this curry very much.
Vijayalakshmi Dharmaraj says
very yummy platter Swasthi… now tempting at right lunch time…
Vidya Chandrahas says
This is my favorite curry…love the combo of alasande and poatato.
Saranya Balaji says
The name looks new to me…Bookmarking this
Shruti Dhingra Wahi says
I make it in the same way but never tried with potato …Will add one next time 🙂