Slow cook in crock pot or dutch oven. Your kitchen will smell so yummy!
When I first moved to the south, I was told that New Year's Day was black eyed peas, greens and bread to bring good luck for the year. So. . .since I wasn't a big fan of black eyed peas by themselves or any leafy cooked greens, what was I going to fix to create my meal to provide a year of good luck. Drawing from flavors of foods from areas in which I had lived, I decided a bit of southwest seasons and lots of vegetables made these peas the best ever.
Black Eyed Peas Southwest Style
1 pound dried black eye peas
1 large onion
2 large carrots
1 red bell pepper
1 orange or yellow bell pepper
3 stalks of celery
1 pound of Cooked ham cut into chunks (I use left over ham from Christmas that I have chopped and frozen for this recipe)
1-2 16 oz boxes of chicken broth
1-2 cans spicy tomatoes (I like the Rotel with diced green chilies)
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 teaspoon of dried red pepper (optional)
1/2 teaspoon of smokey paprika (optional)
Salt
Black milled pepper
1 Head Cabbage, washed and chopped
Bread of choice
Preparation
Place beans in large pot or bowl and cover with water (approximately 6-8 cups). Let these set 6-8 hours.
Using a vegetable peeler, peel carrots, and slice into pieces.
Chop the onion in medium size pieces.
Slice and chop celery and bell peppers.
Put all peeled and chopped vegetables in strainer and wash thoroughly with cold water.
In your crock pot add peas which have been drained after soaking.
Add all chopped vegetables.
Add the can or two of spicy tomatoes. Depending on the size of your crock pot, you may want 1-2 cans. Also, the more spicy tomatoes, the more hot and spicy the peas.
Add 1-2 boxes of the chicken broth. Again, this depends on the size of your crock pot. You do not want the mixture to be too soupy as it will create moisture during cooking.
Mill the black pepper over all.
Add salt to taste to all.
Turn the crock pot on to high until mixture starts to bubble, then turn to low.
Let cook until peas and vegetables are soft.
Dip up in bowl and serve with cabbage and your choice of bread.
Cabbage
Place the chopped cabbage in a stock pot with 1/4 cup water.
Add salt to flavor.
Place lid on pot and bring to boil until cabbage becomes darker green and is soft. Typically this will take 15-20 minutes on a medium heat.
Drain water from Cabbage.
Sprinkle with Balsamic vinegar and pepper and serve in side dish with beans.
Cooks' Notes
I like to make sweet corn bread with this meal; or use a fresh loaf of rye bread. Even Parker House rolls make this a wonderful meal to enjoy.
Put your left over beans in a refrigerator container and warm them up for a second evening.
Happy New Year - ENJOY
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