How To Make Black-Eyed Peas: Easy New Year's Recipe In The Southern Tradition

The New Year is just around the corner and considering the events that happened over the last 365 days, we’re going to need a bunch of luck once we enter 2021.

Luckily black-eyed peas are a symbol of luck and would also make a delicious dish to serve on New Year’s Day.

During the Civil War, Union Army troops either stole or destroyed crops but skipped the fields of black-eyed peas. To survive the harsh winters, Confederate soldiers were able to survive by eating the black-eyed peas that were left behind, according to The Spruce Eats.

Make sure luck is on your side in the new year by whipping up some delicious black-eyed peas with this recipe from Immaculate Bites.

1. Clean the black-eyed peas by rising in water, be sure to discard any foreign objects. Then add the beans to a large pot and add cold water that covers 3-4 inches above the beans. Cover the pot and allow it to sit for around two to three hours.

2. Use a large, heavy sauté pan to sauté the chopped bacon until brown and crispy for around four to five minutes. Then add the sausage to the pan and sauté for about 2-3 more minutes. Remove bacon and sausage from the pan and set it aside.

3. Add celery, garlic, onions, thyme, jalapenos, and the bay leaf to the pan. Then sauté the mixture for three to five minutes, until onions are aromatic and wilted.

4. Add in water or chicken broth.

5. Drain the beans, then rinse and place them into the pot. Use the creole seasoning to season the beans and add salt to taste. Mix the beans and bring them to a boil.

6. Once the mixture boils, reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow the beans to cook uncovered for around 20 minutes.

7. Add the bacon, sausage, and collard greens to the beans and allow it to cook for another 10 minutes while stirring occasionally or until beans are slightly thickened and tender.

8. Add more chicken broth or water to the mixture if it. becomes dry and thick. The overall texture of the beans should be thick and somewhat creamy but not watery.

9. Remove the bay leaf from the beans.

10. Taste and adjust by using Creole seasoning, pepper, and salt if needed. Serve the beans over cooked rice and consider garnishing with green onion.

Happy New Year!