This is a vegetarian appetizer made from black-eyed peas.
Ingredients
2 cups black-eyed peas
7 ½ cups water, divided
½ cup diced onion
2 tsps green chili puree
1 tsp garlic puree
1 ¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp turmeric
1 cup chopped coriander
Canola oil for deep frying
Preparation
In a large bowl, add the black-eyed peas and seven cups of water and let soak overnight. Strain the water from the black-eyed peas and rinse, removing all water.
Place the black-eyed peas in a blender or food processor with one-fourth cup of water and all remaining ingredients except the coriander and oil. Puree, adding an additional one-fourth cup of water if needed.
After the mixture is blended, place in a mixing bowl. Add the coriander and stir to combine.
In a pot, heat oil over medium heat. Take two tablespoons of the black-eyed pea mixture and form a ball in your hand. Flatten slightly to form a small patty.
Place the patty into the oil to fry for about two minutes or until cooked. Flip over for another two minutes or until cooked.
Remove and place on a paper towel–lined tray to absorb the excess oil. Repeat with remaining pea mixture.
In Goa, you will often find it made with spicy sausage and red kidney beans. My own recipe below combines slow-roasted pork loin meat with spicy sausage and haricot beans.
In a large warm plate, spoon a streak of grilled tomato chutney in the centre. Place the fish on top. On the side of the fish, place a quenelle of crushed peas. Place the chilli jam dressed cucumber and tomato salad. Serve immediately.
Chef Patron of the highly acclaimed Benares restaurant in London, Atul Kochhar rose to fame as one the first Indian chefs to win a coveted Michelin star.
