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
For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card
Ingredients (US 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
Instructions
- 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.
Alternative quantities provided in the recipe card are for 1x only, original recipe.
For best results follow my detailed step-by-step photo instructions and tips above the recipe card.
NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)
© Swasthi’s Recipes
step by step photos on making alasandalu curry or bobbarlu curry
Love your recipes and how straightforward they are – keep at it !
Thank you Dee
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
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.
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 ?
Welcome Deepthi
Hope you like it
I made this yesterday and really liked how it turned out – wholesome, delicious and versatile. Jazaak Allah khairaan
Hi Aisha
Thank you so much dear
high protein food and become more healthy and muscle development and strengthy…
I make this often.. But without grinding it & mostly with brinjal.. Looks yum yum 🙂
I love black-eyed beans but never prepared it this way… Looks lovely Swasthi… Thanks for sharing the recipe dear 🙂
Delicious combination, looks tempting!<br />MAHA
Very healthy and delectable lobia curry Swasthi.
Never cooked lobia this way,curry looks yummy
wow ..it looks fab …so tempting
delicious combo,yummy!!
I had cooked this last night.. Delicious..
always tempting.. like this combo of lobia and potato..
Healthy yummy curry,nice version…
An excellent curry, can have it with anything..Nutritious and delicious.
I like beans so I think I will like this curry very much.
very yummy platter Swasthi… now tempting at right lunch time…
This is my favorite curry…love the combo of alasande and poatato.
The name looks new to me…Bookmarking this
I make it in the same way but never tried with potato …Will add one next time 🙂