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Southern Black Eyed Peas Recipe

Ingredients Required

For making Southern Black Eyed Peas, you need the following ingredients:

• 1 pound dried black-eyed peas
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound smoked ham hocks
• 6 cups water
• 1 tablespoon seasoned salt
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 3 bay leaves

Preparation Method

1. Rinse the black-eyed peas and remove any debris or stones.
2. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
3. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
4. Add the smoked ham hocks and cook for 2-3 minutes until browned on all sides.
5. Add the water, seasoned salt, onion powder, ground cumin, black pepper, crushed red pepper, and bay leaves to the pot.
6. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1-2 hours until the peas are tender.
7. Remove the ham hocks from the pot and let them cool slightly.
8. Remove the meat from the bones and shred it into small pieces.
9. Return the shredded meat to the pot and stir to combine.
10. Serve the Southern Black Eyed Peas hot with cornbread or rice.

This recipe is a classic Southern dish that is perfect for any occasion. The combination of black-eyed peas, smoked ham hocks, and flavorful spices creates a hearty and satisfying meal that is sure to please. Whether you are hosting a dinner party or just looking for a comforting weeknight meal, this recipe is a great choice.

Cooking Techniques

Using Dutch Oven

When it comes to cooking Southern black eyed peas, a Dutch oven is an excellent choice. It’s perfect for cooking low and slow, which is ideal for this dish. Start by heating up some olive oil in the Dutch oven over medium heat. Then, add some diced onions and cook them until they are translucent. Next, add some bacon grease or smoked ham hocks for extra flavor. Once the onions and bacon are cooked, add the black eyed peas to the pot along with some seasoned salt, onion powder, chili powder, and cumin. Finally, add enough water to cover the peas and let them cook on low heat for about 2-3 hours until they are tender.

Using Slow Cooker

A slow cooker is another great option for cooking Southern black eyed peas. It’s a convenient and easy way to make this dish, especially if you don’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen. Start by adding the black eyed peas to the slow cooker along with some diced onions, smoked turkey wings, and some water. Then, add some seasoned salt, onion powder, chili powder, and cumin. Cook the peas on low heat for about 6-8 hours until they are tender. Once they are cooked, you can serve them as a side dish or as a main course with some cornbread.

Using Instant Pot

If you want to make Southern black eyed peas in a hurry, an Instant Pot is the way to go. It’s a great option for those who don’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen. Start by adding the black eyed peas to the Instant Pot along with some diced onions, smoked ham hocks, and some water. Then, add some seasoned salt, onion powder, chili powder, and cumin. Cook the peas on high pressure for about 20-25 minutes until they are tender. Once they are cooked, you can serve them as a side dish or as a main course with some cornbread.

In summary, there are several ways to cook Southern black eyed peas, each with its own unique flavor and texture. Whether you choose to use a Dutch oven, slow cooker, or Instant Pot, you can be sure that your black eyed peas will be delicious and full of flavor.

Traditions and Symbolism

Growing up in the South, I learned that black-eyed peas are more than just a delicious comfort food. They are also a symbol of good luck and prosperity, particularly when eaten on New Year’s Day.

Many Southerners believe that eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day brings good luck for the year ahead. The tradition dates back to the Civil War, when Union troops raided the Confederate food supplies, leaving behind only black-eyed peas and salted pork. The Confederates considered themselves lucky to have any food at all, and the tradition of eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day was born.

One of the most popular ways to prepare black-eyed peas is in a dish called Hoppin’ John. This classic Southern recipe combines black-eyed peas with rice and salted pork, such as bacon or hog jowl. Some people also add collard greens to the dish, which are said to represent money.

In addition to Hoppin’ John, many Southerners also enjoy black-eyed peas and cornbread on New Year’s Day. The cornbread is said to represent gold, and the combination of black-eyed peas and cornbread is thought to bring wealth and prosperity.

Overall, black-eyed peas are an important part of Southern soul food and are enjoyed year-round. But on New Year’s Day, they take on special significance as a symbol of good luck and prosperity for the year ahead.

Here’s a list of some of the key takeaways from this section:

• Eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day is a Southern tradition that dates back to the Civil War.
• Black-eyed peas are believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the year ahead.
• Hoppin’ John is a classic Southern dish that combines black-eyed peas with rice and salted pork.
• Some people also add collard greens to Hoppin’ John, which are said to represent money.
• Black-eyed peas and cornbread are often enjoyed together on New Year’s Day, as they are thought to bring wealth and prosperity.

Serving Suggestions

When it comes to serving Southern black-eyed peas, there are plenty of delicious options to choose from. Here are a few of my favorite serving suggestions:

• As a side dish: Black-eyed peas make a great side dish for a variety of Southern-inspired meals. They pair well with everything from fried chicken to pork chops to barbecue. I like to serve them alongside some collard greens and cornbread for a classic Southern meal.
• Over rice: Another great way to enjoy black-eyed peas is to serve them over a bed of rice. This makes for a heartier meal and is a great option if you’re looking for something more filling. You can also add some hot sauce or chopped parsley on top for a little extra flavor.
• With greens: Black-eyed peas and greens are a match made in heaven. You can use collard greens, kale, or any other type of greens you like. Simply cook them up with some bacon or ham hocks and serve alongside your black-eyed peas.
• With peas and cornbread: If you really want to go all out, serve your black-eyed peas with some peas and cornbread. This is the ultimate Southern comfort food and is sure to satisfy even the hungriest of appetites.

No matter how you choose to serve your black-eyed peas, one thing is for sure: they’re always a crowd-pleaser. So go ahead and experiment with different serving suggestions until you find your perfect combination.

Health and Nutrition

As a legume, black-eyed peas are a great source of plant-based protein, fiber, and complex carbohydrates. They are also low in fat and calories, making them a healthy addition to any diet. In fact, one cup of cooked black-eyed peas contains about 200 calories, 13 grams of protein, and 11 grams of fiber.

Beans, in general, are an excellent source of plant-based protein, fiber, and other important nutrients. They are also low in fat and calories, making them a great choice for those looking to maintain a healthy weight. Additionally, beans have been shown to help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Collard greens and kale are both nutrient-dense leafy greens that are rich in vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, vitamin K, calcium, and iron. These greens are also low in calories and high in fiber, making them a great addition to any diet.

Olive oil is a healthy fat that is high in monounsaturated fatty acids, which have been shown to help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. It also contains antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation in the body.

Garlic and onion are both flavorful ingredients that are known for their health benefits. Garlic has been shown to help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease, while onion is high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.

Finally, parsley is a flavorful herb that is high in vitamin C, vitamin K, and antioxidants. It has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and may help improve digestion.

Incorporating these healthy ingredients into your diet can help you maintain a healthy weight, reduce your risk of chronic diseases, and improve your overall health and wellbeing. Try adding black-eyed peas, beans, collard greens, kale, olive oil, garlic, onion, and parsley to your next meal for a healthy and delicious boost of nutrients.

• Black-eyed peas are a great source of plant-based protein, fiber, and complex carbohydrates.
• Beans have been shown to help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.
• Collard greens and kale are both nutrient-dense leafy greens that are rich in vitamins and minerals.
• Olive oil is a healthy fat that is high in monounsaturated fatty acids.
• Garlic has been shown to help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.
• Onion is high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.
• Parsley is high in vitamin C, vitamin K, and antioxidants.

Recipe Variations

Vegetarian Version

For those who prefer a vegetarian version of the classic Southern black-eyed peas recipe, simply omit the meat and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can also add some diced carrots, celery, and bell peppers to give the dish some extra flavor and texture.

To make the dish more filling, you can also add some cooked rice. Serve it with some cornbread or crackers on the side for a complete meal.

Spicy Version

If you like your black-eyed peas with a kick, you can add some red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the recipe. You can also use a spicy seasoning blend instead of the regular one.

For a smoky flavor, you can add some smoked bacon, smoked ham hocks, or smoked turkey wings to the pot. Don’t forget to remove them before serving.

To add some extra depth to the dish, you can also add a bay leaf or some rosemary to the pot while it simmers.

Here is a list of ingredients you can use to make a spicy version of black-eyed peas:

• Red pepper flakes or hot sauce
• Spicy seasoning blend
• Smoked bacon, smoked ham hocks, or smoked turkey wings
• Bay leaf or rosemary

Experiment with different combinations of these ingredients to find the perfect spicy black-eyed peas recipe for you.