Vegan Black Lentils with Kidney Beans from "The Indian Slow Cooker"

Sabut Urad (Black Gram) and Kidney Beans to make Sabut Kaali Dal aur Rajmah.

The Indian Slow Cooker Bookby Anupy Singla

Yet another winner from Anupy Singla's "The Indian Slow Cooker" Book.  Can't get better than a rich Indian Chili with Whole Urad and Kidney Beans.  Another very simple recipe.  You do throw the onions, garlic, and chilies in the Cuisinart this time.  Making it even easier.  Just pay attention when shopping for "Black Lentils".  Urad Whole, Black Gram, and Matpe Beans are some other names for this prolific Indian legume.  Don't buy what you think looks like a lentil that we are used to (a flat thin legume) in a black color.  You may think it doesn't make a difference, but  this Black Gram bean has an amazing, creamy flavor and does not have the same flavor as lentils that I am used to eating.  Especially important to pick the correct beans if you want an authentic Indian flavor.

Sabut Urad, Black Gram, Matpe Beans. These are all names for the Black Lentils used in Indian Cooking.

Kidney Beans (Rajmah)

Tumeric, Coriander, Red Chili, Garam Masala, and Cumin.
You can buy all of these from Mountain Rose Herbs.  Or the International Store.  Either place is very inexpensive (Mountain Rose is organic though).  I don't go to the regular supermarket for these types of things (unless I run out) since spices are so ridiculously marked up there.  We have an extra freezer, so it's full of bags of spices and sprouting seeds.

Healing Heat.

This even removes the manual chopping.

Put everything in the cooker.  Add Water.  Push a button.  Think ya can handle it?

After Cooking for a few hours.

And 8 hours later.....the finished product.  The beans are perfect.  They keep their form so beautifully in the slow cooker.
Also LOVING the Miracle Rice Cooker and happy about the stainless steel interior.

Vegan Black Eyed Peas infused with Cilantro from "The Indian Slow Cooker"

Cilantro Infused Black Eyed Peas
From Anupy Singla's "The Indian Slow Cooker" Book.

It's New Year's Eve and my hubby grew up eating black-eyed peas and collard greens New Year's day. So figured I should have the Black-eyed peas ready to go around midnight! Well, Vegan Style!  I guess that black-eyed peas and ham hocks are the "traditional" way to prepare them BUT we shall have none of that here!  Why start your new year harming other creatures? Anupy Singla's "The Indian Slow Cooker" even has vegan black-eyed pea recipes!  So of course we had to do it.  Thankfully I noted the cooking time was 10 hours and started it around 1:00.  Cilantro-infused Black-eyed Peas (Dhania Waale Lobhia) is on page 86 of Anupy's book.

Black Eyed Peas.

Lots of cilantro, tomatoes, onions, garlic ginger.
The Indian "staples".

Indian "staples" getting ready for an awesome vegan Black-Eyed Pea dish.

Cilantro and "staples" getting pureed in food processor.
Thai chilis too, YUM!

This is for cilantro lovers as it calls for 2 whole bunches.  Once again, a simple recipe from this stellar book.  Roughly cut up a tomatoes, ginger, onions, and other yummies to throw in the food processor.  And this time you get to make a toasted cumin-coriander spice.  I used our cute little cast iron pan for this.  Cast iron is great because it has no nasty coating that falls out in your food, and it doesn't burn easily.  Truly you throw everything in the pot and push the start button.   You don't touch it for a full ten hours and then you add another bunch of fresh cilantro.

Cumin and coriander getting roasted in small cast iron skillet.

No excuses for not cooking healthy food.  No, it's not too expensive.  Is 1.99 a pound for ORGANIC beans too expensive?  No, it doesn't call for crazy spices.  Are Cumin and Coriander "out there"?  Even the fresh cilantro I picked up at a tiny neighborhood store.  Are onions exotic?  Roma tomatoes?  Normally I would not buy tomatoes this time of year, but it doesn't seem like you are looking for the "ripe", fullest flavor heirloom for these recipes.  More of a firm Roma, organic if you can.  Turmeric?

Black-Eyed peas, spices, Chiles in Crock-Pot (slow cooker)

Buy in bulk! It's cheaper and then you will always have food on your shelves!
This is my organic brown basmati rice next to my black-eyed peas saying
"Please pick ME!"

Sometimes it seems like people constantly make excuses like expense or they have zero time.  Although they have time to watch endless hours of TV (expensive cable at that, hey I'm NOT knocking John Stewart, just eat healthy food while doing it :) or they have enough money to buy packaged junk food.  But some of the best foods out there are also the least expensive.  So even if you are on government aid and struggling, it is very possible to eat in a healthy way. Maybe "welfare" should be a slow cooker and free bags of organic rice and beans. Copies of Anupy's book and other healthy, low cost eating cookbooks,  and some basic food preparation classes.

Cilantro Infused Black Eyed Peas made in the Slow Cooker (crock pot).
Verdict: Super Delicious!! Another Amazing dish from Anupy.

Fresh Organic Collard Greens.


The Indian Slow Cooker: 50 Healthy, Easy, Authentic Recipes