Description
Paula Deen’s black-eyed peas combine Southern comfort with hearty flavors, delivering a classic side dish that warms souls. Simmered with smoky ham and aromatic seasonings, this recipe brings home-style cooking directly to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 slices bacon
- 1 (454 g/16 oz) package washed dried black-eyed peas
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 (340 g/12 oz) can diced tomatoes and green chilies
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp pepper
Instructions
- Bacon Preparation: Crisp bacon in a spacious saucepan over medium heat until golden-brown, about 5-7 minutes. Drain on paper towels and crumble for later garnishing.
- Flavor Foundation: Use bacon drippings to sauté onions until translucent, releasing their aromatic essence, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Ingredient Fusion: Combine black-eyed peas, diced tomatoes with green chilies, kosher salt, chili powder, black pepper, and water in the saucepan. Stir thoroughly to blend flavors and ensure even distribution.
- Slow Simmering: Reduce heat to low, cover with a tight lid, and let the mixture gently simmer for 45-60 minutes. Stir periodically and add water sparingly if the mixture becomes too dry, maintaining a rich, moist consistency.
- Final Touch: Verify peas’ tenderness by gently pressing with a fork. Once they reach a creamy, soft texture, remove from heat and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with reserved bacon crumbles before serving as a robust side dish or light meal.
Notes
- Bacon Selection: Choose thick-cut bacon for richer flavor and better rendering of fat, enhancing overall dish depth.
- Onion Technique: Dice onions uniformly to ensure consistent cooking and balanced flavor distribution throughout the dish.
- Liquid Management: Monitor moisture carefully during simmering to prevent burning; add water incrementally if mixture becomes too dry.
- Texture Check: Test bean tenderness by gently pressing with fork; perfectly cooked peas should feel soft and creamy without being mushy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg