In the Southern states we are serious about traditions and eating black-eyed peas, cabbage (or greens) and cornbread on News Year’s day is a custom we gladly celebrate!
We love giving a fresh twist to classics and we are crazy about this spicy black-eyed pea dish from the lovely Paula Deen. Try it out and let us know if these aren’t the best black-eyed peas you’ve ever tasted! The only thing we do a little different is to use hog jowl instead of bacon and substitute a spicy instead of mild Rotel. If you’ve never eaten hog jowl you really must give it a try. Slice it thin and cook it just like bacon. I find it to be sweeter and less salty than traditional bacon. Hog jowl has a great flavor and its a good choice to season any Southern vegetable dish.
Hoppin’ John is a deep Southern variation of this dish that serves black-eyed peas over rice. So rice or no rice, it’s up to you – but make sure to start the New Year off right and have black-eyed peas for your dinner.
Spicy Black-Eyed Peas or Hoppin’ John
4 slices bacon (or sliced hog jowl)
1 medium onion chopped
1 16 ounce bag dried black-eyed peas (or field peas)
1 12 ounce can Rotel (mild, medium or hot)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 cups water
What To Do:
In a large pot, cook bacon until cripsy. Remove bacon, crumble and save for topping the peas. Saute onion in the bacon drippings until tender and translucent. Pour rinsed (but not soaked) peas into pot, then add Rotel, salt, chili powder, pepper and water. Cover and cook the peas for 1 hour over medium heat until peas are tender. Top with bacon and enjoy!
Tips:
Black-eyed peas are lentils and so they don’t need to be soaked overnight or for long periods of time before cooking. Rinse them well and then toss them in the pot!
Serves 8
post and pictures by Sunshine
