Description
Southern charm meets culinary elegance in Ina Garten’s black-eyed peas recipe. Hearty legumes simmer with smoky bacon, aromatic herbs, and rich seasonings, creating a comforting dish you’ll savor from the first delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) dried black-eyed peas, soaked overnight
- ½ stick (2 ounces/57 grams) butter or margarine
- 1 large onion, cut into big cubes
- ¼ green bell pepper, cored, seeded, and chopped
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1 large shallot, quartered
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Liquid:
- 3 to 4 cups water
Instructions
- Carefully drain the black-eyed peas that have been hydrating overnight, discarding the soaking liquid and setting the legumes aside for cooking.
- Heat a large skillet over medium temperature. Melt 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of butter, then gently sauté finely chopped onions and shallots until they become translucent and aromatic.
- Elevate the skillet’s heat to medium-high. Introduce the drained black-eyed peas, stirring thoroughly to coat them with the buttery base. Cover the skillet and allow the peas to cook for approximately 8 minutes, developing a rich flavor profile.
- Transition the pea mixture into a spacious pot. Pour in enough water (around 4 cups or 946 milliliters) to completely submerge the legumes. Bring the liquid to a vigorous boil, then incorporate diced green bell peppers, 1 teaspoon (5 grams) of kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Let the mixture cook uncovered for 50 to 60 minutes, periodically checking the peas’ texture. The ideal consistency is tender yet maintaining structural integrity – soft but not disintegrating.
- Once the black-eyed peas reach the perfect tenderness, remove from heat and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving, allowing the flavors to settle and integrate completely.
Notes
- Prepare legumes by soaking them overnight to soften and reduce cooking time dramatically.
- Butter brings luxurious richness, transforming simple black-eyed peas into a gourmet side dish.
- Sautéed onions and shallots create a flavor-packed foundation that elevates the entire recipe.
- Crisp exteriors and creamy interiors develop through carefully controlled medium-high heat cooking.
- Fresh green bell peppers contribute a delightful crunch and bright vegetable note to the dish.
- Gentle simmering allows seasonings to penetrate deeply, ensuring maximum flavor absorption.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 282 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 415 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg