Black-Eyed Peas Salad -Lobia Or Rongi Salad

The very humble black eyed peas are intensely healthy. I was surprised when I once googled for Fergie after I read accounts of drug abuse etc ...of the band The Black Eyed Peas... and saw  the pictures of the humble Rongi or Lobia as we know them here. In my home ,nobody wants to eat them...so they just get tossed into salads and stuff. So I can't make Rongi Chawal or the curry with rice. No body likes them.But when I saw the health benefits, low cal high fiber status accorded to these beans...they have now become an essential part of my diet. They are easy to cook and their  bean"ey " flavor and smell are not difficult to mask either. So its a win win situation both ways.Especially when Mumbai simmers in the Pre Monsoon heat.These pictures were taken in Jalandhar, but this salad is often my breakfast. Beans are not too good for you at night.Hence the cherry tomatoes. I have to buy all my produce here. But at least, every thing is available. 
This is a quick salad with minimal prep work. You may throw in whatever veggies you have , whatever dressing you have.Just remember , a little oil or fat, a little tart and a little sweet. And you are set.
for the
Black-Eyed Peas Salad -Lobia or Rongi Salad
You need
1 cup black eyed peas2 cups assorted vegetables chopped in the same size few pinches turmeric powder3 tbsp yogurt - that has fatJuice and zest of 1 orange 1 tsp tang Salt and black pepper to tastea squeeze of lemon juice
If you have not soaked the black eyed peas or lobia or rongi , just wash well and place in a bowl covered with cold water.Replace the water, add half tsp salt and the turmeric to the water and place on to boil. Once the water boils ,cover and simmer the peas till they are done but firm .Not mushy.Drain and rinse in cold water.Prep the veggies. I used tomatoes, capsicum basil ,parsley, string beans ,sometimes onions...
Steamed broccoli and baby corn are great with these too.
Just toss all the veggies together. All chopped.
In a bowl..the yogurt with the orange zest and juice and salt and pepper.
A little tang..I find that it elevates the taste to another level. Again that's optional. You can sweeten the dressing with honey.
Stirring well ,mix it all together.
Make sure you don't let this sit.
If you want this to sit , hang the yogurt to drain the excess whey in a cheesecloth first ,then use the yogurt as you would use cream.
This salad is filling and completes your quota of atleast two servings of protein and fiber and essential vitamins.

Its quick and no fuss and extremely versatile. So go ahead and make a breakfast out of this soon. Its light on your tummy and waist line too.
Remember, vegetables are good for you.
So what are you baking today???