Not Your Mamas Black Eyed Peas Food

MAMA'S BLACK-EYED PEA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Brown the ground beef in large skillet. Drain the excess grease and the add onion, garlic, jalapeno and Essence. Cook the mixture for 3 to 5 minutes or until the onion has softened. Add the peas, tomatoes, mushroom soup, chicken soup and enchilada sauce. Add a few dashes of hot sauce. Simmer until warm, about 10 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Tear the tortillas into large pieces. Grease the bottom of a large casserole dish with butter and then line the bottom with the torn tortilla pieces. Spoon on the ground beef mixture into a thin layer and then add a layer of cheese. Add another layer of tortillas and repeat with the beef mixture, finishing with a layer of cheese on top. Cover the casserole dish with foil to prevent the cheese from burning and place in the oven. Cook for 35 to 45 minutes. Remove from the oven, cut slices approximately 2 by 2 inches and serve. Garnish with chopped green onion.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly.

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.

MAMA'S BLACK-EYED PEA CASSEROLE BY EMERIL

Steps:

• Brown the ground beef in large skillet.
• Drain the excess grease and the add onion, garlic, jalapeno and Essence.
• Cook the mixture for 3 to 5 minutes or until the onion has softened.
• Add the black-eyed peas, tomatoes, mushroom soup, chicken soup and enchilada sauce.
• Add a few dashes of hot sauce.
• Simmer until warm, about 10 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Tear the tortillas into large pieces.
• Grease the bottom of a large casserole dish with butter and then line the bottom with the torn tortilla pieces.
• Spoon on the ground beef mixture into a thin layer and then add a layer of cheese.
• Add another layer of tortillas and repeat with the beef mixture, finishing with a layer of cheese on top.
• Cover the casserole dish with foil to prevent the cheese from burning and place in the oven.
• Cook for 35 to 45 minutes.
• Remove from the oven, cut slices approximately 2 by 2 inches and serve.
• Garnish with chopped green onion.