Famous and tasty side dish using red cowpeas. Vanpayar thoran recipe with coconut and spices is so popular in Kerala, South Indian as a side dish with rice or kanji (rice soup). The vanpayar thoran or red cowpea recipe with coconut (dry recipe) is also known as red payar thoran recipe, perum payar thoran recipe or simply payaru thoran recipe. Vanpayar thoran is simply cooked red cowpeas with coconut and spices which is a popular side dish enjoyed in South India, Kerala for lunch or dinner.