Fact of the day: healing your gut is one of the most important steps for optimal health.
And if you’ve been feeling like your system is out of whack recently, or have been experiencing food sensitivities, zoning in on this issue may be exactly what you need to do!
Known as the “second brain*“, our gut health is important because how our body functions largely depends on how well we are digesting and processing our food. From physical symptoms (such as bloating, reflux, lethargy, and headaches) to mental moodiness (think anxiety and depression), poor gut health can cause a whole lot of chaos within the body. Luckily though, with a little awareness and self-care, you can get yourself back on the road to wellness…for good.
Btw, all of this may explain why some people become sensitive to certain foods over time; it may not be that they are permanently intolerant to specific types of foods, but that they need to focus on generating that good bacteria that’s vital for optimal health.
And one of my favorite ways to soothe the digestive tract and heal the gut is with medicinal herbs, such as ginger, garlic, fenugreek, and asafoetida. Ginger and garlic are both known for their ability to aid the digestive system, but fenugreek has also been used for thousands of years to help reduce stomach inflammations. Asafoetida (also known as “hing”), is another ancient spice that has been commonly used to treat digestive issues, and is anti-septic, anti-inflammatory, and can help fight infections.
Just be warned…asafoetida is STRONG. Like, smack yo’ mama strong OR “stick in a seal-able bag and stuff it in the cupboard because OMG” strong.
However, this exotic spice adds a smooth flavor that elevates this dish to moan-worthy, seriously! (#worthit!) You can get asafoetida at most middle eastern grocery stores OR on Amazon by clicking here. Throw all these healing spices in a curry with some yummy black eyed peas and you have a dinner win that is sure to satisfy + contribute to a healthy gut!
Allergy Info & Substitutions:
- This meal is 100% vegan (meat-free, dairy-free, and egg-free), plus is naturally gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, and oil-free.
- Make it coconut-free by switching it out for another plant-based milk of your choice, or leave out the milk entirely.
- Upgrade this to a low-histamine + nightshade-free meal by omitting the smoked paprika and cayenne pepper. You can also use this homemade vegetable bouillon for a simpler veggie stock option.
- Don’t want to use black eyed peas? Switch them out for lentils or any veggie you like, such as cauliflower, sweet potatoes, or even a couple cups of frozen corn. Just keep in mind that this may change the cook time (that’s less time for veggies and possibly more time for beans!).
Heal your gut and eat well with this delicious Black Eyed Peas Vegan Curry, which is full of healing herbs and easy on the digestive system! Versatile for a number of diets and allergy-friendly, this meal is filling, flavorful, and simple to pull together.
Black Eyed Peas Vegan Curry for Healthy Digestion
Ingredients
- 1 large yellow onion diced
- 3-4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ½ tablespoon fresh ginger minced
- 1 ½ C dried black eyed peas rinsed and sorted
- 6 C vegetable stock
- ½ tablespoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ½ teaspoon fenugreek seeds
- ¼ teaspoon asafoetida or more if desired
- 13.5 oz full fat coconut milk optional
- Fresh cilantro for garnish chopped
- Cooked basmati or jasmine rice on the side optional (I usually cook about 1 ½ C of rice for my family of 5)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients (except coconut, cilantro, and rice) to a large soup pot and bring to a boil. Turn heat down to medium and cover with a lid, cooking about 40 minutes, until black eyed peas are almost tender and liquid is mostly absorbed. (Meanwhile, cook rice according to package and set aside.)
- Add coconut milk to soup pot, and continue cooking uncovered for about 10 minutes, until black eyed peas are tender. Adjust seasonings if necessary.
- Remove from heat and spoon into bowls. Top with a scoop of rice and cilantro, if using.
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Thank you for taking the time to invest in your health and happiness!
Carol
I disagree with your list of nutritional value for this recipe! It is a well known fact that black eyed peas are an excellent source of protein, fiber, potassium, iron and more. They are 70 calories per serving!
Randi Tisdall
Hi Carol, that was an error within the recipe plugin- it was automatically showing a nutrition facts label that had not yet been filled out. Yes, black eyed peas are very nutritious! I hope this clears up any confusion:)