Basic Black Eyed Peas
These basic Southern black-eyed peas are cooked with pork jowl or thick bacon, chopped onions, carrots, and seasonings.
- Preparation:
- Cooking:
- Total:
- Serves: 8 persons
Ingredients
- 16ounces black-eyed peas (dry)
- ½pound smoked pork jowl (or thick bacon)
- 1large onion
- 1large carrot
- 4cloves garlic
- ½teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ½teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼teaspoon dried oregano
- 2teaspoons salt (or to taste)
- Dash Tabasco sauce (optional
Instructions
Step 1
Rinse the peas and pick them over for bad or discolored peas and small stones; transfer to a medium saucepan.Step 2
Cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and continue cooking for 5 minutes; set aside.Step 3
Meanwhile, dice the pork jowl or bacon.Step 4
Put the diced pork in a large stockpot or Dutch oven and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until fat is rendered, stirring frequently.Step 5
Meanwhile, peel and dice the onion and carrot. Peel the garlic; mash it lightly with the side of a knife and then mince it.Step 6
Add the onion and diced carrot to the pork. Cook until tender the onion is translucent and the carrot is beginning to soften, or about 6 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes longer.Step 7
Add the black-eyed peas and enough fresh water to cover by 2 inches. Add the crushed red pepper flakes, black pepper, thyme, and oregano. Bring the peas to a boil; cover the pan and reduce the heat to medium. Simmer the black-eyed peas for about 1 hour.Step 8
Uncover and continue to cook for 30 to 45 minutes longer, or until the peas are tender. Add more water as needed to keep them moist. When the peas are tender, stir in the salt and Tabasco sauce, if using.Step 9
Serve with hot baked cornbread and a tossed salad.