This is a print preview of "Country Ham & Black-Eyed Peas" recipe.

Country Ham & Black-Eyed Peas Recipe
by Amos Miller

Country Ham & Black-Eyed Peas

Black-eyed peas are NOT just a Southern New Year's Day tradition. Paired with Jalapeno Maple Bacon Cornbread you can celebrate all year long. Nutrition runs amock in this massively-tasty stew. You can simmer this for a couple hours, but it is also a great slow-cook / crockpot dish.

This is a pretty well-liked and common food south of the M-D line and another gastronomic legacy of the Creole-Soul kitchens.

Thanks to my mom and Chef Emeril for the initial inspiration in 2005. I've added a couple of ingredients that I feel enhance not only the flavor, but the aroma of this dish.

Rating: 5/5
Avg. 5/5 2 votes
Prep time: United States American
Cook time: Servings: 10

Goes Well With: Jalapeno Maple Bacon Cornbread

Ingredients

  • 3 Tbs olive oil
  • 1 lg onion, sliced or chopped
  • 2 Tbs garlic, minced
  • 3 bay leaves, whole
  • 4 whole cloves
  • 1/8 tsp cardomom seeds (not the pods), green not black
  • 2 sprig thyme
  • 12-14 oz chopped country ham (that is a smoked and cooked ham - this dish is perfect vehicle for left-over ham - as long as it didn't come out of a can)
  • 24 oz fresh black-eyed peas
  • 1 qt. chick stock (or broth)
  • water to cover
  • sea salt and pepper

Directions

  1. Rinse the fresh black-eyed peas in cold water, let them soak for 15 minutes, change the water and soak in cold water until ready to cook. If using dried peas, soak over night with at least 2 changes of water
  2. Bring the olive oil to shimmering in a stockpot, med-high heat.
  3. Add the onion and saute for 2 minutes
  4. Add the garlic, thyme, bay leaves, cloves, cardomom and ham and stir for 1 minute to coat
  5. Add the drained black-eyed peas and add to the pot
  6. Add the stock and water to cover and give a few turns with the spoon
  7. Crank on about 1/2 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
  8. bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to med-low and simmer for 25 minutes partially covered
  9. Uncover the pot and cook another 25 minutes
  10. Add the salt to taste - easy - remember the ham may be salty, so taste before salting.