Making a quick judgment based on the way something looks or sounds is often not wise. Maybe that is why the saying, “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover” holds so much meaning. So if I say that I love cowpeas, do you immediately think it sounds gross because you have visions of “cow” peas?
Cooking is a peaceful and creative activity for me. Being the person that provides sustenance for the family in an enjoyable way helps to make me feel valuable in my role as a mother, sister, aunt and daughter.
I cook healthy meals most of the time, but there are a few ingredients that I just can’t give up which can be found in recipes passed down through the ages in my Southern family. Cowpeas, also known as black eyed peas are one of those meals that is very simple to cook, delicious to eat, keeps the pangs of hunger away for quite a while and has one not so healthy ingredient.
Black eyed peas or cowpeas depending on your preference are white skinned, kidney shaped beans with a small black eye and very fine wrinkles. They can be cooked down to a creamy consistency or with less cooking time can be left firm in their thin skin. They are often cooked on New Year’s Day to add “luck,” so here’s to having all the luck I can get…
Start by filling a pot with water and turn up
the temperature so that the water boils.
Purchase 2 lbs. of dried black eyed peas.
Throw away all dark colored beans or small rocks.
Yes, sometimes there are small rocks in a bag of dried beans.
Add all the black eyed peas to the water.
Boil for 10 minutes and cover.
Let sit for 60 minutes.
During the waiting time, cook 1 lb. bacon and retain the drippings.
After an hour,
drain the water from the beans by using a colander.
Depending on where you live, “colander” is pronounced either
“co-land-er” or “col-an-der.”
I won’t even argue with you if you say it wrong (wink.)
Once drained, pour the beans back into the original pot
and add water to about 2 inches above the beans.
“Life is like an onion:
You peel it off
one layer at a time,
and sometimes you weep.”
Dice about 2 cups of onions and add to beans.
Add about 2 tablespoons of salt.
Add about 1 tablespoon of pepper.
Unhealthy ingredient alert: Add the drippings from 1 lb. of cooked bacon.
Reserve cooked bacon for later.
My grandmothers used fat back or salt pork.
Yummy artery cloggers!
Bring all ingredients to a boil and then cut heat back
to a slow simmer.
Cook until beans are tender.
Simmer long enough that the liquid cooks down and thickens.
Fill bowls with black eyed peas and
add the crunchy cooked bacon pieces on top.
Enjoy every bite.
I also add pickled jalapeno slices to my bowl.
It makes the beans hot and truly unforgettable!
Are you back in the “cow” peas state of mind and ready to forget ever trying this bean?
Tsk, Tsk. You just don’t know what you are missing.
So to Mama Minnie, Mama Nell, Mam-Maw and the only living person of the bunch, Mom…Thank you for your loving hands that prepared innumerable meals for your families of which I am blessed to be able to count myself as a member, namely as your great grand daughter, grand daughter and daughter. These women have provided a beautiful legacy of love with their cooking!
I wonder if Mama Minnie ever felt lonely and unappreciated while standing over the hot wood stove cooking for her family on the farm? Do you equate cooking as a loving service for your family and friends? Do you ever feel that no one realizes the efforts you make to prepare delicious meals for them?
We know cow peas very well…and my grandmother used fat back! We have the traditional Hoppin' Jon with collards and cornbread every New Year's Day! Without fail. Gotta love that southern cooking!
And yes, there were times when I felt unappreciated and more like a cook and maid. But not very often.
This looks great! You really can't go wrong with anything that contains bacon!
This looks yummy! You really can't go wrong with anything that contains bacon!
yum
Though I don't eat them often, I do like them. And my family MUST eat them on New Year's Day (with a little hog jowl) for good luck in the new year. lol
Yum-O! I love black eyed peas. The smell of them cooking reminds me of being at grandma's house. 🙂
That looks delicious! I haven't had them in years, because I am the only one who eats them, so there isn't a real reason for me to make them. Have some for me 🙂
yum, yum, yum,! I usually only get to eat black-eyed peas at new year with some collard greens for luck and prosperity
Ummm! Black eyed peas, love em!
I have never had them but that recipe looks delicious! While I have heard black-eyes peas, I have never heard them called cow peas!
I love them too! Your recipe looks good, especially the bacon on top.
That looks wonderful and I can not wait to try the recipe. i love the idea of the crispy bacon on top and all the yummy drippings in the pot!
Shawn
OMGoodness! It's nearly midnight and it's all I can do not to go upstairs and make those cowpeas right.now. Yum!
I love beans!! I've never heard of black eyed peas being called cow peas before. Learn something new EVERY DAY!! This looks YUMMY and now I HAVE to try them this way!! Thanks for sharing and your family is LUCKY to have such a great cook providing for them!! ;D
I love this recipe and your great pics. I featured this post on my Kitchen Bananas blog.
http://www.ourbananamoments.com/www.ourbananamoments.com/Kitchen_Bananas/Entries/2011/5/25_Black-Eyed_Peas.html
Marsha
Taking these and some cornbread to the family reunion also..yummy!