Black-eyed peas (also known as Black-eyed beans) is a popular dish around the world from Portugal to India, and is also the traditional good luck meal eaten with pork on New Year's Day in America.
Rich in calcium and Vitamin A, the versatile dish is enjoyed in west African countries including Ghana and Nigeria, where adding red palm-oil gives the dish a unique taste.
Black-Eyed peas can be also be cooked with chicken, potatoes or yam and is especially delicious with fried plantain.
Below is the recipe for cooking Black-eyed beans African-style and suggestions for eating this healthy dish in a variety of ways to suit vegetarians and non-vegetarians.
Ingredients for Making Black-Eyed Peas
To serve two people:
- Two cups of Black-eyed Peas
- One Onion
- Two pieces from a clove of garlic
- One tin of tomato chunks or four tomatoes
- Two tablespoons of Palm Oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoon of All Purpose seasoning
- 2 teaspoons of Thyme
- A dash of chilli Powder (according to taste) or a small red or green pepper
- One Stock Cube
How to Prepare Black-Eyed Peas
- Place the peas in a large pot, add water and bring to boil on a high heat.
- Blend the chopped onion, garlic or pepper with the tomatoes and pour it into the pot of beans (alternatively you can add the tomatoes and chopped vegetables without blending)
- Add the Palm-oil, seasoning, thyme and chilli powder into the mixture along with the stock cube.
- Reduce the heat and leave to cook for 30 - 35 minutes, stirring every so often until the water soaks through and the beans are reddish-brown. Make sure they are soft to taste and add more water or palm-oil if required.
Adding Protein to a Black-Eyed Peas Meal
Pork, Chicken or even your choice of fish can also be added to Black-Eyed Peas for added protein and a fuller meal. Just stir the chopped meat or fish into the pot after the other ingredients have been added and boil for 40 - 45 minutes to allow for the meat to cook thoroughly.
Black-Eyed Peas with Potatoes or Yam
Another added extra for a more well-rounded bean dish is potatoes or yam. Just peel, slice into chunks and mix into the boiling beans.
Plantain and Beans
Fried plantain is a popular accompaniment to Black-Eyed peas in west Africa. Simply peel two plantains, slice either diagonally for a conical shape or vertically for circular slices, add a pinch of salt and place into an already heated pan of vegetable oil and fry until brown. When ready, serve together with the Black-Eyed peas for a delicious meal.
Kimberly Ward - Since completing a Journalism degree at City University, London, Kimberly has written extensively online and on print for The Independent ...
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