Black Eyed Peas Recipe (with Ham) (2024)

FAQs

What meat goes best with black-eyed peas? ›

- Tender and flavorful braised pork, like pork chops or pulled pork, goes wonderfully with black-eyed peas.

meat in a ham hock that is very tasty, but there is also a lot of high quality fat, collagen and cartilage that melt away and add lip-smacking savoriness to your dish. Ham hocks are usually sold pre-cooked, and often smoked. If you get a smoked hock you may want to soak it overnight to get rid of some of the saltiness.

Place beans in a large pot and cover them with 4 inches of chicken stock. Simmer, covered, for about 1 hour. Start checking after 45 minutes to see if they are tender and add more broth or water as necessary to keep them covered.

Canned black-eyed peas are best in recipes that don't require slow cooking or a long cook time, which can make them mushy. If you're using canned black-eyed peas, simply rinse them in a colander to remove any liquid from the can as well as excess salt. Then you're good to go!

- The lean and savory taste of grilled chicken or turkey complements the earthy flavors of black-eyed peas. - Smoked sausages, such as andouille or kielbasa, add a smoky and robust flavor that enhances the dish. - Tender and flavorful braised pork, like pork chops or pulled pork, goes wonderfully with black-eyed peas.

To make sure that the meat is clean before boiling, rinse each of the ham hocks with cold water in your kitchen sink. This will help remove any impurities from the meat and cut down on the fatty residue that will float to the top while the ham hocks boil.

After soaking, wash ham thoroughly in warm water. Use a stiff brush to scrub ham thoroughly and remove all pepper and surface mold, if present. Mold is very common on these uncooked hams and is no way injurious (like aged cheeses mold in the aging process).

Boiling ham hocks usually takes around 1.5 to 2 hours. However, the exact cooking time may vary depending on the size of the hocks and how tender you want them to be. It's best to check their tenderness by inserting a fork into the meat. What should I consider when selecting ham hocks for boiling?

Reduce to simmer; cook for 2 hours or until peas are tender, adding more broth or water as needed.

Drain them the next day and bring them to a boil in cold water, then reduce the heat so the water barely simmers: dried black-eyed peas can overcook, and a rolling boil could cause them to break apart. Taste the peas often to check their doneness: They should be creamy but retain their shape.

Should black-eyed peas be covered while cooking? ›

Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium. Cover and simmer until the meat pulls away easily from bones, skimming occasionally if desired, 2 to 2 1/2 hours. (This is a good time to chop the vegetables and garlic for the black-eyed peas.)

I cook about 2 slices of bacon til crispy, add drained black eyed peas (canned), along with paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. I usually like Lowry's seasoned pepper but plain black pepper is good. Plus about half a cup of water or even broth. The beans can get very dry, so I always add some liquid.

"If you rinse your beans thoroughly, you will have a consistently flavored product, but if you do not rinse them, different amounts of salt will remain in the dish each time you cook it, and it will be hard to cook consistently," he says.

Not soaking the black-eyed peas can slightly impact the texture, as they can take longer to cook and may be slightly firmer compared to soaked ones. However, the taste will remain similar whether you soak them or not.

Pan Fried Collard Greens

This Brazilian fried collard greens are thinly sliced and pan fried with garlic and bacon. It is soul food at its best and make the perfect pair with black eye peas.

Cornbread, often served with black-eyed peas and greens, represents gold. For the BEST chance of luck every day in the year ahead, one must eat exactly 365 black-eyed peas, no more or less. Black-eyed peas eaten with stewed tomatoes represent wealth and health.

Often referred to as hoppin' john, black-eyed peas and collard greens are commonly eaten as part of a Southern tradition to bring forth good luck and prosperity in the new year.

Find the recipe for black eyed pea fritters and more in Mariah-Rose's new international cookbook and guide, COOK LIKE YOUR ANCESTORS. It's a tradition for Southern people — especially those of African descent — to eat black-eyed peas around the New Year to bring good luck and prosperity for the year ahead.