Mama Amandas Black Eyed Peas Food

BLACK-EYED PEAS WITH BACON AND PORK

Steps:

• If using dried black-eyed peas, put them in a large pot and cover with about 4 inches of water. Soak the peas overnight, then drain the water and rinse. Alternatively, you can "quick-soak" the peas by bringing them and the water to a boil for 2 minutes. After this, remove them from the heat, cover the pot and soak the peas for 1 hour. Then, drain and rinse the peas.
• Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the pork. Sear until the pork is browned on all sides, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the bacon, onion and garlic to the pot and cook, stirring, until the onion and garlic are lightly browned, about 6 to 8 minutes. Add the salt, black pepper, cayenne and garlic powder. Cook until the entire mixture is coated with the spices, about 2 minutes. Pour in the stock and water and drop in the bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for about 30 minutes.
• When the pork begins to fall apart, add the prepared peas to the pot and simmer until the peas are very soft, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours (see Cook's Note).
• Taste for seasonings, and add some hot-pepper vinegar, if desired. Discard the bay leaves and transfer the black-eyed peas to a serving bowl.

NOT YOUR MAMA'S BLACK-EYED PEAS

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Stir in onion, celery, shallot, and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes.
• Add diced sausage to the pot and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove some of the sausage for garnish and set aside. Add butter, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper; cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Add peas and cook for 3 to 5 minutes. Pour in chicken stock, bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Stir in heavy cream. Remove 1/2 of the soup and puree in a blender. Return pureed black-eyed pea mixture to the pot and continue cooking on low, stirring well, for 3 to 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add okra to a cast iron skillet and cook over medium-high heat until they are well charred, 3 to 4 minutes. Add okra to black-eyed peas and serve garnished with reserved sausage pieces.

MAMA AMANDA'S BLACK-EYED PEAS

Steps:

• Take your bacon in a cast iron skillet and fry until crispy.
• You will have bits of crunchy goodness in bottom of pan.
• Take diced onion and cook in drippings until translucent.
• Add garlic and stir for just a moment or two.
• Pour in broth and de-glaze pan by scraping up all of the bacon yummies.
• Pour in Peas and stir together.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste and add garlic powder.
• Cover and let cook for about 2 hours.