Macaroni With Greens Bacon And Black Eyed Peas Food

MAC AND CHEESE WITH PEAS AND BACON

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• Bring a large saucepan of salted water to boil on the stove top. Cook macaroni until al dente, following package directions.
• While the pasta cooks, melt butter in large microwavable mixing bowl. When pasta is done, drain and pour into the bowl, mixing to coat with butter.
• Stir in heavy cream and cheeses. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to taste. (I used about 6 turns of the pepper mill, 6 shakes of Italian seasoning, and just a pinch of salt.) Stir thoroughly. Add frozen peas and stir again.
• In frying pan over low to medium heat, cook two pieces of bacon. As the bacon gets close to being crisped, add the garlic cloves and cook until they are clear. Drain bacon and garlic on paper towels.
• Pour the macaroni mixture into an 8x8 baking pan. Break the bacon into bits. Sprinkle the bacon and garlic over the top of the macaroni mixture.
• Bake for 30 minutes or until cheese is crispy.

BLACK-EYED PEAS AND PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add salt, if using, and stir in the pasta shells. Reduce the heat to medium-high and cook the shells, uncovered, until al dente, 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place the tomatoes, black-eyed peas, olive oil, garlic, and cayenne in a large mixing bowl and stir to combine.
• Drain the pasta shells well in a colander. Transfer the shells to the mixing bowl and stir to combine well. Serve topped with the feta cheese, bacon, and parsley.

BLACK-EYED PEAS WITH BACON, ONIONS, AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Put frozen peas in a colander and run warm water over them for a few minutes (this will separate them; it is not necessary to fully defrost them).
• In a big pot, fry the bacon over med-high heat for 3-4 minutes, until cooked but not crisp.
• Add in the onion, celery, bell peppers, jalapeno, and garlic; decrease heat to medium and saute until the vegetables are soft but not browned, about 5 minutes.
• Add in stock, salt, Tabasco, peas, and baking soda; increase heat to high and bring to a boil.
• Decrease heat to a simmer and cook, uncovered until the beans are tender, about 1 hour.
• Stir in the green onion tops and vinegar.
• Serve immediately, or let cool and refrigerate for up to 3 days; reheat to serve.

BACON AND PEA MAC 'N' CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter a 2-quart baking dish or eight 12-ounce ramekins.
• For the bechamel: Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook, stirring often, until just crisp, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine the 3 1/2 cups milk, the parsley, peppercorns, crushed red pepper, bay leaf and nutmeg in another medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then remove from the heat and keep warm.
• When the bacon is crisp, remove it with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate, leaving 6 tablespoons of the bacon fat in the saucepan. If you have less than 6 tablespoons, make up the difference with the butter and heat over medium heat until melted. Add the flour and cook, stirring, until the mixture is doughy and smells a bit nutty, about 1 minute.
• Strain in the warm milk about a half cup at a time into the flour mixture and cook, whisking to incorporate after each addition. The bechamel should be smooth and velvety. If it's chunky or too thick, whisk in some more milk.
• For the mac 'n' cheese: Remove the bechamel from the heat and add all of the cheeses; whisk to combine. Fold in half of the bacon. Next, fold in the macaroni, then the peas. Transfer to the prepared baking dish or ramekins. If using ramekins, place them on a rimmed baking sheet.
• Combine the breadcrumbs with the remaining bacon pieces, the melted butter and a pinch each of salt and black pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the mac 'n' cheese and bake until the sauce is bubbly and the crust is browned on top, 30 to 45 minutes (depending on the baking vessel).
• Let rest for 10 minutes then serve.

BLACK-EYED PEAS WITH BACON

Steps:

• Rinse and sort black-eyed peas. Place peas and bacon in a Dutch oven; add water to cover. Bring to a boil; boil 2 minutes. Remove from heat; let soak, covered, 1 hour. Do not drain., In a cast-iron or other heavy skillet, heat butter over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook and stir until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in thyme., Stir into pea mixture. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, until peas are tender, stirring occasionally, 30-40 minutes. Sprinkle with salt to taste. If desired, garnish with fresh thyme leaves and additional crumbled bacon.

BLACK-EYED PEAS WITH MUSTARD GREENS AND RICE

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a wide soup pot over medium heat and let it brown for several minutes until it smells nutty.
• Add the sesame oil, then the onions, bay leaves, celery, garlic, thyme, chile flakes, smoked paprika, cumin and celery leaves.
• Cook stirring occasionally, until the onions have browned, about 20 minutes.
• Stir in the tomato paste, then add the beans (drain them first if you used soaked dried), 2 quarts water, and 1 tsp salt.
• Simmer, covered, until the beans are tender. Taste for salt and season with pepper.
• Cut the mustard greens off their stems and wash them. Simmer in salted water to cover until tender, a few minutes, then transfer to a strainer, rinse with cool water, and chop. Stir them into the beans.
• Taste once more for salt and season with plenty of pepper.
• Add a few spoonfuls of rice to each bowl and serve with Tabasco, Crystal, or other favorite hot sauce on the side.