Cooking Fresh Black Eyed Peas

Southern Black-Eyed Peas

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. + soaking Cook: 45 min.

Makes

6 servings

I find pork the secret to a good black-eyed pea recipe. A double dose of ham for flavor and slow and gentle cooking creates this perfect side dish. —Emory Doty, Jasper, Georgia

Southern Black-Eyed Peas

Southern Black-Eyed Peas Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

1 pound dried black-eyed peas, sorted and rinsed
1 large onion, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 ounces sliced salt pork belly, chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 carton (32 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 smoked ham hocks

Directions

Place peas in a Dutch oven; add water to cover by 2 in. Bring to a boil; boil for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; cover and let stand for 1 hour. Drain and rinse peas, discarding liquid; set aside.
In the same pan, saute onion in oil until tender. Add the pork belly, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, pepper flakes and pepper; cook 1 minute longer.
Add the broth, ham hocks and peas; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 35-40 minutes or until peas are tender, stirring occasionally and adding more water if desired.
Discard bay leaves. Remove ham hocks; cool slightly. Remove meat from bones if desired; finely chop and return to pan. Discard bones. If desired, top with additional fresh thyme.