The soulful combination of black-eyed peas and ham will transport you to the southern United States. This recipe is a traditional harmony of flavors, slow-cooked to perfection for a hearty and comforting meal. The peas become tender and full of flavor, while the ham imparts its smokiness to the dish.
Black-eyed peas are the star of this recipe. While they are a staple in southern cuisine, they may not be readily available in all supermarkets. Look for them in the beans and pulses section. The other unique ingredient is the smoked lean ham steak. It’s usually pre-cooked and can be found in the meat section. If you can't find it, a good substitute would be any smoked pork product.
Ingredients for Slow Cooked Black-Eyed Peas with Ham
Smoked lean ham steak: A pre-cooked, smoked pork product that infuses the dish with a rich, meaty flavor.
Dried black-eyed peas: These are small, creamy-white beans with a black 'eye' or scar where they were attached to their pod inside.
Bay leaves: Aromatic leaves commonly used in slow-cooking recipes to add a depth of flavor.
Olive oil: Used for sautéing the vegetables, it adds a subtle richness to the dish.
Onion: Adds a sweet, caramel-like flavor when cooked.
Garlic: Essential for any dish, it gives a robust flavor.
Red bell pepper: Adds a sweet, slightly tangy flavor and a pop of color.
Jalapeno chile: Adds a spicy kick to the dish.
Tomato: Adds a bit of acidity, balancing out the flavors.
Chili powder: Gives a smoky, spicy flavor.
Cumin: Has a warm, earthy flavor and aroma with a bit of both sweetness and bitterness.
Salt: Enhances the flavors of the dish.
Ground black pepper: Adds a mild heat and sharp flavor.
One reader, Kelsi Schmid says:
This slow cooked black eyed peas with ham recipe is a game-changer! The flavors are rich and comforting, and the ham adds a delicious smokiness. The peas turn out perfectly tender, and the seasoning is spot on. It's a hearty and satisfying dish that's perfect for a cozy night in.
Techniques Required for Slow Cooked Black Eyed Peas with Ham
Soaking the black-eyed peas: This step involves soaking the dried black-eyed peas in 6 cups of water overnight. This helps to soften the peas and reduce their cooking time.
Sautéing the vegetables: Sautéing the onion, garlic, bell pepper, jalapeño pepper, and tomato in a frying pan until they are soft. This helps to develop their flavors before adding them to the slow cooker.
Seasoning the black-eyed peas: Generously seasoning the black-eyed peas with salt, cumin, chili powder, and black pepper. This step is crucial for enhancing the overall flavor of the dish.
Discarding the bay leaves: Removing the bay leaves from the slow cooker before serving. Bay leaves are added for flavor during cooking but are not meant to be consumed.
How To Make Slow Cooked Black Eyed Peas with Ham
This recipe calls for black eyed peas and ham to be slow-cooked with chilis, bell peppers, and various herbs and spices for a mildly-spiced hearty dish.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 8ozsmoked lean ham steak
- 1lbdried black-eyed peas,rinsed and soaked overnight
- 2bay leaves
- 1tspolive oil
- 1onion,medium, diced
- 2clovesgarlic,diced
- 1red bell pepper,stemmed, seeded, and diced
- 1jalapeno chile,seeded and minced
- 1tomato,diced
- ½tspchili powder
- 1½tspcumin
- salt to taste
- 1tspground black pepper
Instructions
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Soak peas overnight in 6 cups of water.
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The next morning, drain peas and add to slow cooker.
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Add 4 cups of water, bay leaves and ham.
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Cover and cook on High for 6 hours or until the beans are tender.
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After 6 hours, in a large frying pan, add oil and sauté onion, garlic, bell pepper, jalapeño pepper, and tomato for about 6 minutes or until soft.
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Add to the slow cooker and season black eyed peas generously with salt, cumin, chili powder and black pepper.
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Cover and cook on High 1 to 1½ hours more.
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Discard bay leaves and serve.
Nutrition
- Calories: 129.68kcal
- Fat: 3.35g
- Saturated Fat: 0.95g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 1.58g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.48g
- Carbohydrates: 14.63g
- Fiber: 3.87g
- Sugar: 3.50g
- Protein: 10.21g
- Cholesterol: 19.84mg
- Sodium: 774.06mg
- Calcium: 88.77mg
- Potassium: 501.89mg
- Iron: 1.48mg
- Vitamin A: 57.30µg
- Vitamin C: 26.09mg
Crucial Technique for Perfecting This Recipe
When soaking your black-eyed peas, ensure they are fully submerged in water. This will allow them to absorb enough water and soften, which will reduce the cooking time. Also, remember to discard the soaking water and rinse the peas before adding them to the slow cooker. This helps to remove any impurities or dust from the dried peas. Additionally, sautéing your vegetables before adding them to the slow cooker can enhance the flavor of your dish. The heat helps to release the natural sugars in the vegetables, leading to a more complex and rich flavor profile.
Time-Saving Tips for Making This Recipe
Prep ahead: Soak the black-eyed peas and chop the vegetables the night before to save time in the morning.
Use a food processor: Utilize a food processor to quickly chop the onion, garlic, bell pepper, and jalapeño for the recipe.
High pressure cooking: Consider using a pressure cooker to significantly reduce the cooking time for the black-eyed peas and ham.
Substitute Ingredients For Slow Cooked Black Eyed Peas with Ham Recipe
smoked lean ham steak - Substitute with smoked turkey: Smoked turkey can provide a similar smoky flavor and texture to the dish, while also being a leaner alternative to ham.
dried black-eyed peas - Substitute with dried lentils: Dried lentils can be used as a substitute for black-eyed peas, offering a similar texture and nutritional profile.
bay leaves - Substitute with dried thyme: Dried thyme can provide a similar earthy and aromatic flavor to the dish, serving as a suitable replacement for bay leaves.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil can be used as a substitute for olive oil, offering a mild flavor and high smoke point, making it suitable for slow cooking.
onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots can be used as a substitute for onions, providing a milder and sweeter flavor to the dish.
garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used as a substitute for fresh garlic, offering a convenient alternative with a similar flavor profile.
red bell pepper - Substitute with green bell pepper: Green bell peppers can be used as a substitute for red bell peppers, providing a slightly different flavor while still adding color and texture to the dish.
jalapeno chile - Substitute with serrano chile: Serrano chiles can be used as a substitute for jalapeno chiles, offering a similar level of heat and flavor to the dish.
tomato - Substitute with canned diced tomatoes: Canned diced tomatoes can be used as a substitute for fresh tomatoes, providing a convenient alternative with a similar texture and flavor.
chili powder - Substitute with paprika: Paprika can be used as a substitute for chili powder, offering a mild and smoky flavor to the dish.
cumin - Substitute with coriander: Coriander can be used as a substitute for cumin, providing a similar earthy and citrusy flavor to the dish.
ground black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper can be used as a substitute for black pepper, offering a milder and slightly different flavor to the dish.
Presentation Tips for This Delicious Dish
- Elevate the plating: Carefully arrange the black-eyed peas and ham in a visually appealing manner, ensuring each element is showcased beautifully.
- Incorporate a garnish: Add a sprig of fresh thyme or a sprinkle of finely chopped parsley on top of the dish to add a pop of color and freshness.
- Opt for elegant tableware: Serve the slow-cooked black-eyed peas with ham in sophisticated, porcelain or earthenware dishes to enhance the dining experience.
- Focus on precision: Pay attention to the placement of each component, ensuring that the dish is presented with meticulous attention to detail.
- Utilize negative space: Embrace the beauty of simplicity by allowing some empty space on the plate, creating a visually striking presentation.
- Consider the color contrast: Pair the earthy tones of the black-eyed peas and ham with vibrant, colorful elements to create a visually captivating dish.
- Highlight the ingredients: Showcase the natural beauty of the ingredients by arranging them thoughtfully on the plate, allowing their textures and colors to shine through.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making Slow Cooked Black Eyed Peas
- Slow cooker: A slow cooker is a countertop kitchen appliance used for simmering at lower temperatures, making it perfect for slowly cooking the black-eyed peas and ham to tender perfection.
- Large frying pan: A large frying pan is essential for sautéing the onion, garlic, bell pepper, jalapeño pepper, and tomato to create a flavorful base for the black-eyed peas dish.
- Knife: A sharp knife is necessary for chopping the ham, onion, garlic, bell pepper, jalapeño pepper, and tomato, ensuring even cooking and distribution of flavors.
- Cutting board: A cutting board provides a stable surface for chopping and preparing the ingredients, keeping your countertops safe from knife marks and scratches.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Accurate measurements are crucial for achieving the perfect balance of flavors and ensuring the ideal cooking process for the black-eyed peas with ham.
- Spatula: A spatula is useful for stirring and transferring the sautéed vegetables from the frying pan to the slow cooker, ensuring all the flavorful bits are incorporated into the dish.
- Tongs: Tongs are handy for removing the bay leaves from the slow cooker before serving the slow-cooked black-eyed peas with ham.
- Cooking spoon: A cooking spoon is essential for stirring the black-eyed peas and ham while they cook in the slow cooker, ensuring even distribution of flavors and ingredients.
Storage and Freezing Instructions for Slow Cooked Black Eyed Peas
- Let the black eyed peas cool completely before storing or freezing.
- For storing in the refrigerator, transfer the cooled peas to an airtight container. They will keep well for up to 5 days in the fridge.
- To freeze the black eyed peas:
- Divide the cooled peas into portion-sized freezer-safe containers or resealable bags.
- Remove as much air as possible from the bags before sealing to prevent freezer burn.
- Label the containers or bags with the date and contents for easy identification.
- Place the containers or bags in the freezer, where they will keep for up to 6 months.
- To reheat frozen black eyed peas:
- Thaw the peas in the refrigerator overnight.
- Transfer the thawed peas to a saucepan and heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Add a little water or broth if needed to achieve the desired consistency.
- Alternatively, you can reheat the peas in the microwave. Place the thawed peas in a microwave-safe bowl, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval, until heated through.
- When reheating, taste the black eyed peas and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, or other spices as needed, as flavors may mellow during storage.
How To Reheat Leftover Black Eyed Peas with Ham
The best way to reheat leftover slow cooked black eyed peas with ham is to use a saucepan on the stovetop. Simply transfer the desired amount of peas into a saucepan and add a splash of water or chicken broth to help moisten the dish. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the peas are heated through and the flavors have melded together once again. This method ensures that the peas are evenly heated and the texture remains intact.
Another option is to use the microwave. Place the desired amount of black eyed peas in a microwave-safe dish and add a small amount of water or broth to prevent the peas from drying out. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the peas are heated through. Be careful when removing the dish from the microwave, as it may be hot.
For a quick and easy reheating method, you can also use a slow cooker. Transfer the leftover black eyed peas with ham to the slow cooker and set it to low heat. Allow the peas to warm through for about 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating. This method is perfect for those who want to reheat a large batch of peas without much fuss.
If you prefer a slightly crispy texture, you can reheat the black eyed peas in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and transfer the peas to an oven-safe dish. Cover the dish with foil to prevent the peas from drying out and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of baking to allow the top to crisp up slightly.
Regardless of the reheating method you choose, be sure to taste the black eyed peas before serving and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may find that the flavors have intensified overnight, so you might need to add a little extra broth or water to balance out the dish. If the peas seem dry, you can also add a pat of butter or a drizzle of olive oil to help moisten them and add a touch of richness.
Interesting Trivia About Black Eyed Peas and Ham
Black-eyed peas are a Southern tradition, often served on New Year's Day to bring good luck and prosperity for the coming year.
Is Making Slow Cooked Black Eyed Peas with Ham Cost-Effective?
The slow-cooked black-eyed peas with ham recipe is highly cost-effective for a household. The combination of affordable ingredients such as black-eyed peas, ham, and a variety of vegetables makes it a budget-friendly option. The dish offers a hearty and nutritious meal for a family of four at an approximate cost of $15. The flavorsome blend of smoked lean ham, black-eyed peas, and aromatic spices creates a satisfying and wholesome dish. The overall verdict rates this recipe at 9 out of 10 for its affordability, nutritional value, and delicious taste.
Are Slow Cooked Black Eyed Peas with Ham Healthy?
This slow cooked black eyed peas with ham recipe is a nutritious and flavorful dish. The black-eyed peas are an excellent source of protein, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals. The ham provides additional protein and flavor, while the vegetables add fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. The use of olive oil for sautéing is a healthier choice compared to other cooking oils.
However, there are a few aspects of this recipe that could be improved to make it even healthier:
- Reduce the amount of ham or choose a leaner cut to lower the saturated fat content
- Use low-sodium broth instead of water to reduce the need for added salt
- Increase the variety of vegetables, such as adding carrots, celery, or kale, to boost the nutrient content
- Experiment with different spices and herbs, like thyme, oregano, or smoked paprika, to enhance the flavor without relying on salt
- Serve the dish with a side of whole grains, such as brown rice or quinoa, to make it a more balanced meal
By incorporating these changes, you can elevate the nutritional value of this already healthy dish. The slow cooking method allows the flavors to meld together, creating a comforting and satisfying meal that's perfect for any occasion.
Editor's Opinion on This Slow Cooked Black Eyed Peas Recipe
The slow-cooked black-eyed peas with ham recipe is a delightful blend of flavors and textures. The use of smoked lean ham steak adds a rich and savory depth to the dish, while the combination of spices and vegetables creates a harmonious balance. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in a comforting and satisfying dish. This recipe is a wonderful choice for a hearty and wholesome meal, perfect for sharing with family and friends.
Enhance Your Slow Cooked Black Eyed Peas with Ham Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
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Why trust this Slow Cooked Black Eyed Peas with Ham Recipe:
This recipe is a trusted classic, using smoked lean ham steak for rich flavor and black-eyed peas for a hearty and nutritious base. The slow cooking method ensures that the flavors meld together perfectly, while the addition of onion, garlic, and bell pepper brings depth and complexity. The use of cumin and chili powder adds a touch of warmth, and the final seasoning with salt and black pepper ensures a well-balanced dish. With these high-quality ingredients and careful preparation, this recipe promises a delicious and satisfying meal.
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