Black-eyed peas are usually associated with Hoppin’ John, which is a traditional New Year’s Day meal in the South. On the first day of the year, you eat “poor”, so that you may eat “well” the rest of the year. However, black-eyed peas are so delicious and nutritious that I don’t think they should be limited to the first day of the year.
One of my favorite ways to serve them is in a dip, which is usually called Cowboy Caviar. My recipe has a little lime and honey, creating just the mildest hint of sweetness, thus the modified name. The dip comes together quickly, but requires time to marinate, so I often make it the day before a party.
For this recipe, I use a 16 ounce package of frozen black eyed peas. I bring the peas to a boil in a pot of water, then put a lid on the pot, and turn off the heat. The peas will cook in the hot water in about an hour, which is only about 15 minutes longer than if you kept the pot simmering over a fire. This saves energy and helps keep your kitchen a little cooler during the summer.
Cowgirl Caviar
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked black eyed peas rinsed and drained (or 2 cans, drained)
- 1/2 cup onions sliced (I used 1/4 cup white and 1/4 cup green onions)
- 1/2 cup sweet pepper chopped (I used red and yellow pepper)
- 2 jalapeño peppers seeded and chopped
- 2 large garlic cloves minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lime juice Tip for Freezing Lime Juice
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 tablespoon cilantro chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- Dash of salt
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a medium bowl. Mix well.
- Cover and chill for 10 – 12 hours.
- When ready to serve transfer to a serving dish and serve with tortilla chips.
More Appetizer Recipes:
What are your favorite party foods? Do you have a signature dip?
Anonymous says
Ce post m'a beaucoup aide dans mon positionnement. Merci pour ces informations
Amy @ Simply Sugar and Gltuen Free says
I love the new look, Alea! Your blog looks fantastic. So does your Cowgirl Caviar. Thanks for linking up. 🙂
Christy says
This looks so yummy and fresh – my kids aren't big bean fans but I think they would eat this! I have been looking around your blog – love it!
Would love it if you linked to the Two for Tuesday Real Food Blog Hop next Tuesday!
The link takes you to the "about the blog hop" page.
http://bit.ly/bhjFyd
Porch Days says
I love black eyed peas. With this dip don't the peas roll off the chips?
Laura says
I have two "adult" events at our campout where we need to bring an appetizer to share, and I think this will be a big hit! Just reading the ingedients makes me hungry.
August Kenza says
I don't eat black-eyed peas enough. I will have to give this recipe a shot! Yum! 🙂