Goan Feijoada with Chourico

Feijado is a bean dish carried down through generations from our Portuguese Conquistadors.  Traditionally it is a dish done with beans and pork.  However, one can adapt it to the vegetarian or vegan cuisine by leaving out the meat.  For this recipe I paired the beans with the spicy combination of Goan Sausage to impart the authentic Goan flavors.
In our home, black eyed peas were used but in Brazil black beans are used. So be creative and experiment with other beans or use whatever you have on hand.

It is common for Goans to use the pressure cooker quite extensively in the kitchen, and many recipes call for the use of a pressure cooker in order to prepare Goan cuisine.  Over the years I have watched my mother with fascination as she used the stove top pressure cooker often.
Unfortunately as a child I developed a major fear of this appliance, since it was terrifying for me to hear the bells, whistles and shrills that the pressure cooker emitted during the process, and my mum on high alert to proceed to the next step.
Today my mum's pressure cooker is fondly boxed and stored as a memento to the many wonderful dishes she prepared for us in this vessel.
In an attempt to overcome my fears of this appliance I just bought an electric pressure cooker and decided to cook beans as my first experiment.  I am using the Power Pressure XL- electric pressure cooker.  This amazing appliance allows me to cook right in the pan to brown meats, or stir fry onions, garlic etc. before I add the other ingredients.
This dish can also be prepared on a stove top quite easily.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups of dried black-eyed beans ( I used a mix of beans I had on hand, so feel free to substitute)
(rinsed and soaked overnight in water)
2 tablespoons olive oil or coconut oil
1 large onion chopped or 2 small onions
2 large tomatoes chopped
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
1 teaspoon chopped ginger
1 level teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon chili powder ( optional or to taste)
1 teaspoon salt
Vinegar to taste
2 cups water
1 -2 Goan sausages removed from casings- or cook whole and remove casings before servinggs (omit sausage for vegan or vegetarian dishes, and add 1 cup of coconut milk in the last ten minutes of cooking)

Method

Electric pressure cooker Method

Turn the machine on and press the setting for beans (high at 30 minutes)

Add the oil to the pot and when hot fry the onions, garlic and ginger.

When soft add the tomatoes and spices and cook for a bit till soft.

Add the sausages and casings, stir to mix.

Add the drained beans, salt and 2 cups of water.  Close the cooker and lock the lid.  Make sure the pressure valve is closed.

The dish will cook on its own and will be ready in the slotted time.  Release the pressure as per the instructions of your cooker.  Take out the casings, mix well and enjoy.  Check for salt and acidity, and add more salt or vinegar to taste.

Note:  If you do not have a pressure cooker.  Cook the beans in 3 cups of boiling water till soft.
Heat a pan and add the oil on a stove top.  Continue with the above method and cook till done.  Watch that you have enough water and the dish does not dry out.