Why you say would I put up this super simple recipe. There is a story behind it. Hubbs was working hard in grad school, eating all kinds of fast food, and still losing weight (go figure, if I ate that much fast/junk food, I would have an extra 30 lbs on me). He looked as if he had not eaten in a month. So I gave him some ideas to cook up food at home instead of eating the junk food. Not to offend anyone here, but most Indian guys (like my hubbs) and cooking do not go together at most times, esp when they have just arrived from India :). It is just very easy to find good cheap food or hire a helper cook there.
This is one of the recipes that he made every few days with variations, to survive his grad school, (12 years ago). Now of course, he is a brilliant cook. I am a picky eater and hard to please when he does cook something for me 
Oh wait, did I mention how difficult his grad school was? He used to work part time to offset some of expenditure right. The job was referee-ing undergrad girls team volleyball games! (my gosh, so much hard work :P, and so hard on the eyes too :P). Any which way, there was never very perishable food in the fridge at his apartment, which he shared with 3 Indian guys. Living things can grow on perishable items you know So frozen peas and canned tomato and spices was something that was readily available.
Some times you need a simple recipe in between the complex ones right. I remembered these peas and made them the other day and remembered how much I also loved these for a quick fix on weekdays, when I was working crazy hours.
These peas can be made with or without tomato and they taste fabulous as which way. Serve them with flat bread, pita, rice or add to a bowl with grains and veggies. Make some today!
Bachelor’s food!
More easy recipes from the blog. All GF or can be made gluten-free.
Garam Masala Potatoes and grilled cheese potato sammie
Portabello stuffed with hash browns
Fusilli with browned mushrooms and spinach
Cucumber Hummus Sesame Mint bites. Serve the slices with hummus in a bowl!
10 minute Taco spice white bean Quesadilla
BBQ Chickpea Tortilla Pizzas
Steps:
Cook the peas with spices. Serve as is or add tomato sauce.
Add pureed tomato.
cook to thicken and serve hot!
Yum! cumin and garam masala. I know you think it is too easy. but these peas are ridiculously delicious!
Easy Spiced Peas with or without Tomato sauce. Ready in 5 or 10 mins
Allergen Information: Free of dairy, egg, corn, soy, yeast, gluten, grain, nut.
Serves 1, Easily multipled
Ingredients:
For variations: Add fennel seeds instead of cumin. Add berbere spice blend instead of garam masala. Add 2 Tbsp ground cashew for a creamy sauce. Add a handful of cilantro to the tomato and blend for a green sauce. Add other beans, chickpeas, corn etc.
- ½ tsp oil
- 1 garlic clove minced (optional)
- ¼ tsp cumin seeds
- ½ tsp garam masala
- 1 cup peas (frozen or fresh)
- ⅓ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp cayenne/red chili powder
- ½ large tomato, or ½ cup canned
- ¼ cup water or almond milk or other non dairy milk
- In a pan, heat oil at medium heat and add garlic, if using. Cook for a minute.
- Add the cumin seeds and garam masala and cook for a few seconds until it starts to sizzle.
- Add the peas, garlic, ⅓ tsp salt and ¼ tsp cayenne/chili powder and mix well.
- Cover and cook for 4 minutes and serve. :)
- Or, Cover and cook for 1 minute.
- Blend the tomato with water or almond milk for creamier curry and add to the pan.
- Add a generous pinch of salt more and cook uncovered for 8-10 minutes or until the tomato sauce thickens.
- Serve hot with Indian flat breads, pita, or rice. Add to a bowl with grains and greens, or add to tacos, wraps. Endless possibilities.
i love peas! i am totally making this. and such a sweet story to go with it.
I could happily eat peas until the end of my days. These remind me of the ‘macho peas’ they serve at Nandos (not sure if they have this chain outside the UK?)
I will need recipes like this soon! Keep the simple ones coming!
These look awesome, but cumin seeds are hard to find where I live. Can I substitute ground cumin? If so, how much?
1/4 tsp powder
I really like the simple recipes! Things have been very chaotic and stressful as of late, and I appreciate an easy meal with just a few steps. Plus, it’s awesome that it uses stuff that is easy to have on hand anytime.
I love how simple this recipe is – it is always good to have recipes like this for those busy evenings! I am definitively saving this one and very excited to try it!
These look great! I love a simple recipe – that’s about all I have time for most days.
awesome and simple recipe. will try this out. i love peas
thanks for sharing
Pure deliciousness! I’d like a generous helping served atop a thick wedge of warm rustic bread…yumza! Thank you for the recipe…cheers!
We made this as a side today–it was easy and good as advertised.
My goodness- this is SO delicious. And perfect for times like these (grad school) when I don’t have time for shenanigans. Definitely going to be making this again and again… sort of the trend with all your recipes I’ve been trying. Thank you again for the awesome recipes!
This was absolutely delicious! I used cumin powder instead of seed because I’m out of it. Added the cashews (after soaking) to the almond milk and put in the blender. So easy.