What is the best--most Flavorful way to make Black eye peas?

Question

For some reason, my Black eye peas always turn out bland and to soft.

The shells always separate. I love them and I want to make them right.

What's the best meat to flavor it with, how long do I cook it for, and what kind of season.

If anyone has a "Soul Food" way--let me know-! :P Yumm

Answer 1

this is my boyfriends recipe



BLACK EYED PEAS



   1      pound black-eyed peas -- dried

   1      piece skin from a smoked ham or

   2      ounces slab bacon -- diced

     1/4  cup pork rib drippings or fried chicken drippings

             or bacon drippings

     3/4  teaspoon salt

     1/4  teaspoon  black pepper,  ground

     1/2  teaspoon  sugar

1)  Pick over the peas to remove stones and dirt.  Rinse the

peas well and soak them in cold water for 20 minutes.

Drain well.  

2)  Combine the peas and the remaining ingredients in a

large pot.  Pour in enough cold water to cover the peas by 1

inch.  Heat to simmering and cook, covered, until the peas

are tender but not mushy, about 1 1/2 hours.  Keep an eye

on the peas while they are cooking and add more water to

keep them covered if necessary.

  

Answer 2

for tuna (out of the can)

1 can of black eyed peas (rinsed & drained)

1 cup extra virgin olive oil

2-6 cloves garlic (depending on your taste)

juice from 1/2 - 1 lemon (depending on your taste)

salt & pepper (to taste)

Blend until smooth in a food processor or blender.

You can also add fresh flat-leaf (italian) parsley, if you like.

Use this mixture as a spread on sandwiches or with raw veggies.  I recommend cukes

To mix with tuna, flake a can of italian light tuna in olive oil into the bean mixture & stir well. Add chopped red onion & celery, if you like.

This is a LOT of calories..

Answer 3

1 pound black eyed peas,6 cups water,1 med.onion,2 cloves garlic minced,1 teaspoon salt,1/2 teaspoon pepper,1 tsp sugar,1 ham hock,2 cups ham cut up,1-2 jalapenos,seeded chopped.                      wash peas.put in pot add everything and cook to a boil turn down heat and simmer 1 ans 1/2 hours till peas are done.i dont add the peppers i dont like hot food

Answer 4

Cajun Black Eyed Peas

All these ingredients are to taste, I really dont measure I just taste as I go.

Cook your black eyed peas according to the package directions, and I always add a ham hock or pork (smoked) product of some sort.

I add Old Bay , Chopped celery, onion, and bell pepper.  Of course you add regular pepper and salt.  Be careful with the salt as smoked pork products are usually salty.  Better to add more at the end and remember that it concentrates as you cook.

I like to add a little red pepper flake and extra bay leaves to mine.  When you get to the end of the cooking time, take a spoon or potato masher and gently mash a few of the peas.  The starch will make the juice creamy.  This is just a matter of personal taste.  If you like the juice thinner, skip that step and do not over cook the peas as that will cause them to break down and thicken up.

This is so good over rice or corn bread.  Hope you enjoy.

PS.  You could even cook pork chops in this for flavor and then you have the main course already done with your side

Answer 5

First you need to use dry beans.  you want to cover them with water in a bowl and let them sit over night.  As far as meats are concerned, there are many you can use that will give you a good taste:  smoked hamhock, smoked neck bones, smoked turkey necks, bacon.  For the smoked items, you will boil them first in a little water to let the flavors come out for about 20 minutes, then you will add beans, black pepper, finely chopped onion, onion salt, garlic powder and a little chilli powder for heat if you like it.  to use the bacon, fry it first and then add it to your beans.  You want to cook your beans in a crock pot, on low, all day long.  Or you can cook them stove top on low heat, stiring occasionally and taking them off the fire when they are as soft as you prefer.

Answer 6

Tasty Black-Eyed Peas

2 (10-ounce) packages frozen black-eyed peas

1 medium green pepper, chopped

1 small onion, chopped

3 tablespoons bacon drippings

1 (7 1/2-ounce) can whole tomatoes, undrained and chopped

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Cook black-eyed peas according to package directions; drain well, and set aside.

Saute green pepper and onion in bacon drippings until tender. Add peas, tomatoes, salt and pepper; cook over low heat until thoroughly heated, stirring often.

Makes 6 servings