Black-eyed peas, those cute little suckers, are delicious in just about anything you add them to. But in this rather simple recipe for vegan Black-Eyed Pea Cakes, they are simply divine.
But first, are you in one piece after the holidays? With all of our extended family back in India, holidays are usually a quiet affair here for Desi, Jay, and me, sometimes with a friend or two adding extra joy. It's the time when I most miss having family around, especially when everyone else is busy visiting theirs. But -- frankly -- it also makes me glad not to have to get ready to entertain half a dozen or more people. Or have fights with.
Isn't it amazing that no matter how different we are, and where in the world we come from, the politics of our families are exactly the same?
Anyway, once we were done unwrapping the presents, eating a fattening lunch, and being complete slobs around the house, I turned my attention to what I should cook for you for the New Year. C'mon, is it really 2017 already?
I always have black-eyed peas in my pantry and they do have that reputation of being a New Year's charm. In legume worshipping India, these little fellas are as popular as pop stars, and my mom would often mix them up into a tasty curry like this black-eyed peas dal. It was probably her cooking that made me fall so in love with black-eyed peas, and they have always been some of my favorite beans to cook with. I've shared with you numerous black-eyed peas recipes over the years, including this colorful Caribbean Black-Eyed Peas Stew, a Crockpot Black-Eyed Peas Stew, these Black-Eyed Pea Fritters, and many more.
The Black-Eyed Pea Cakes are probably my new favorite way to eat this legume. For one, I love how short the ingredient list is. If you don't count the usual suspects, the salt and the ground black pepper and the oil, there are just six ingredients in this recipe. And nothing fancy, I promise, unless you consider cilantro fancy in which case you should have your head examined.
It took me less than 30 minutes to mix up these Black-Eyed Pea Cakes once I had the beans all cooked (and you can use canned) and fry them. And if the word "fry" makes you think of a large pot of oil, set your mind at ease: you just need enough to coat the bottom of a skillet, and you can brush it on. Or use a fat-free oil spray and you'll have fat-free Black-Eyed Pea Cakes. Could you get any luckier than that?
More vegan recipes with black-eyed peas:
- Caribbean Black Eyed Peas Stew
- Crockpot Black Eyed Peas Stew
- Lobhia Kheema (Black Eyed Peas with Ground "Beef")
- Savory Black Eyed Peas Sweet Potato Pancakes
- Vegan Hoppin' John
Vegan Black-Eyed Pea Cakes
Equipment
- Cast iron griddle or skillet
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried black eyed peas (cooked until tender and drained. Can substitute with two 14-oz cans of canned, drained black-eyed peas)
- ½ cup rice flour
- 1 medium onion (minced)
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup cilantro (finely chopped)
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Salt to taste
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil (plus more for coating the pan. Or any vegetable oil.)
- ½ cup cornmeal (for dredging the cakes)
Instructions
- Drain the black eyed peas thoroughly after cooking. Place in a bowl and mash well.
- In a small skillet, heat 1 teaspoon vegetable oil.
- Add the onions and garlic and saute until softened but not browned, about five minutes over medium-low heat.
- Add the onions and garlic to the bowl with the black-eyed peas. Stir in the cilantro, ground black pepper, salt, and red pepper flakes, if using. Mix in the rice flour. You should have a slightly moist mixture that should hold when you take a small portion and form it into a cake.
- Coat or spray a large skillet with oil over medium-high heat.
- Divide the mixture into 10 cakes. Dredge in the cornmeal and add to the hot pan. Cook on each side until golden-brown.
- Serve hot.
Athy
Recipe calls for1 cup cooked black eyed peas or 2 cans. Two cans would be about 3 cups. I assume this is actually 1 cup uncooked, which you then cook to get about 3 cups?
Vaishali
Yes, it's one cup dried black eyed peas. I've clarified now! Thanks.
Lyza Ward
Great recipe! We made the patties larger and had them as “burgers”! We put a big dollop of yogurt on top for creaminess and did lettuce wraps. So good!
Lisa
What else could I use instead of cornmeal? I have a corn and wheat allergy. These look so yummy! I love black eye peas.
Ruth Eisenbud
I was in the mood for a warming spicy stew... so tried the Caribbean Black-eyed pea stew... that you list with other black-eyed pea recipes....
It was perfect... just what I needed on a rainy.snowy cold winter day... The warm soothing spices warmed by body and brightened a gray day.
Vaishali
Ruth, so happy you tried it!