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Southern Black Eyed Peas

Southern Black Eyed Peas are a comforting dish that embodies warmth and tradition. With each bite, you’ll experience a delightful blend of earthy flavors enhanced by smoky undertones, making it perfect for festive gatherings or cozy weeknight dinners. This easy-to-follow recipe not only nourishes the body but also brings family and friends together around the table.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup dried black-eyed peas
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 34 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 1 smoked ham hock (or vegetarian substitute)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup fresh collard greens, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse the dried black-eyed peas under cold water until clear.
  2. In a large pot over medium heat, sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic for about 5 minutes until soft.
  3. Add the rinsed peas, vegetable broth, and smoked ham hock to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer.
  4. After about 30 minutes, add bay leaves along with salt and pepper to taste. Stir and let cook until peas are tender, approximately 45 more minutes.
  5. If using greens, add them during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
  6. Remove the ham hock before serving warm with cornbread or over rice.

Nutrition

Keywords: - Soaking black-eyed peas overnight can improve texture. - Swap smoked ham hocks for turkey or add diced tomatoes for variety. - Spice it up with cayenne or paprika for extra heat.