Southern Black Eyed Peas Recipe (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

01 - 1 pound black-eyed peas.
02 - 4-5 slices thick bacon, chopped.
03 - 5 oz smoked sausage or turkey, diced (1 cup).
04 - 1 large onion, diced.
05 - 1 celery stalk, diced.
06 - 2-3 tsp minced garlic.
07 - 1 jalapeño, minced (or ¼ tsp cayenne), optional.
08 - 2 tsp fresh minced thyme.
09 - 1 bay leaf.
10 - 1-2 tsp Creole seasoning.
11 - 7-8 cups chicken broth.
12 - 2+ cups collard greens (or kale).
13 - Salt and pepper to taste.

# Instructions:

01 - Sort and rinse peas, soak in cold water (3-4 inches above peas) for 2-3 hours or overnight.
02 - Cook bacon in large heavy pan until crispy (4-5 min). Add sausage, cook 2-3 more min. Set meat aside.
03 - In same pan, cook onions, celery, garlic, jalapeños, thyme and bay leaf until soft (3-5 min).
04 - Add chicken broth.
05 - Drain and rinse soaked peas, add to pot with Creole seasoning and salt. Stir and bring to boil.
06 - Lower heat, simmer uncovered about 20 min.
07 - Add greens, bacon and sausage. Cook 10+ min until peas are tender and broth thickens.
08 - Add more liquid if needed - should be thick but not watery.
09 - Take out bay leaf, taste and adjust seasonings. Serve over rice with green onions on top.

# Notes:

01 - A New Year's Day good luck tradition.
02 - For vegetarian version, skip meats and use veggie broth.

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