This yummy dish I decided to do for the super bowl. My mom was going to come up and stay and I wanted to be able to enjoy her company, relax, and watch some football! The best way to do that in my opinion is to figure out dinner in the crockpot. Being that I am from the south as a tradition I always make black eyed peas for New Year’s. The reason that southerners do this tradition is for good luck all year. I found myself digging through the pantry in search of something easy. It was then that I spotted a whole bag of black eyed peas. I remembered that mom didn't make it this year for New Year’s because she had been sick. She has to have her black eyed peas this year!! I have a recipe that I do for new years with the left over ham hock, but this time I thought I would put a twist on it. I decided that I would do it a bit like gumbo. The key to delicious black eyed peas is low and slow...lots and lots of flavor! I did not have a ham hock on hand so I decided to grill chicken breast and chop it up and slow cook it with the peas. I told my mom what we were having and how I was going to experiment and I'll be honest she was raising her eyebrows. Going "oook" lol. She also isn't someone who would ever say " I love black eyed peas" though. So I forgive her. The other thing that I decided I would do different this time is pour the black eyed peas over a yummy rice. If you are like me and you love to cook and come up with new creative recipe's, you know that there are moments when you make something and you take that first bite and say to yourself " damn I'm good"...well this was one of those moments folks lol! This turned out so good that I may be making this more often then I normally would. I can't wait for you to try it, and I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. I served it with some of that delicious peasant bread that I make. If you scroll down onto one of my other recipes you should find it there.
Recipe:
1 package of black eyed peas
1 small onion chopped
1 jalapeno seeded and chopped
1 can of diced tomatoes (the regular size not the large)
1 small can of diced green chilies -optional-
1 minced garlic clove
3 tbl butter
3 tbl flour
2 good size boneless skinless chicken breasts ( more if smaller pieces)
4 cups chicken broth
2-4 cups water
1 tbl spoon garlic salt (add more if it needs it)
1/3 cup of Cumin (more if needed)
1-2 tsp of chili powder
Pepper...I just did quite a few grinds of the pepper grinder...to taste really
1-2 tsp of onion powder
1 tbl Worcestershire sauce (for Smokey flavor)
1 bunch cilantro some for the rice and some for the peas.
2 tbl brown sugar (feel free to add more if you like)
Zest of one lemon for the rice
Instructions:
I will start this process the night before at 8 or 9 pm. Make sure and rinse off your peas in a strainer to make sure they are clean and there isn't anything in there that doesn't belong. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and start grilling it. While the chicken is cooking in a stock pot start to sauté the onion, jalapeno, and green chilies. When the onions are translucent add in your minced garlic. Then start your rue. Add in the butter and flour and stir it around until it's a nice gold color. Add in your chicken stock. I used a whisk to really mix it around. Then add in the diced tomatoes and let simmer. When your chicken is done chop it into little strips or however you want it chopped. Then add that to your mixture. Place the black eyed peas in your crock pot, and then add the mixture into the crock pot. Then you'll need to add the water. You want to make sure there is plenty of water in there to cover the peas. Add all of the seasonings including the Worcestershire sauce. Cover and set to low to cook all through the night. In the morning I will get up and check it. Make sure there is plenty of water still and taste it to see if you need to adjust the seasonings. That is also when I will chop up some of the cilantro and put it in. Keep on low and serve in the later part of the afternoon 5ish will be perfect!
Instructions for the Rice:
Cook your long grain rice either on the stove or in a rice cooker. When the rice is finished add some chopped cilantro and your zest of one lemon and stir it around….yum!
To serve scoop some rice in a bowl and pour your black eyed peas over the top and enjoy!
