Cowgirl Caviar

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

 

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Author: Alea

Recipe type: Appetizer

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked black eyed peas, rinsed and drained (or 2 cans, drained)
• ½ cup onions, sliced (I used ¼ cup white and ¼ cup green onions)
• ½ 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
• ¼ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
• Dash of salt

Directions

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a medium bowl. Mix well.
2. Cover and chill for 10 – 12 hours.
3. When ready to serve transfer to a serving dish and serve with tortilla chips.

3.1.09

More Appetizer Recipes:

Pumpkin Dip

5 Hummus Recipes

Easy Authentic Guacamole

What are your favorite party foods? Do you have a signature dip?