Simply Southern Black-Eyed Peas

Cowpeas are a popular southern dish, especially for New Years Day. It is believed that having a warm dish of cowpeas on New Years will bring good luck for the year to come.

Ingredients:

• Black-Eyed Cowpeas
• Water
• Beef/Chicken Broth
• Salt
• Pepper
• 1 Onion
• Bacon
• *Optional Ingredients
• Parsley
• Thyme
• Celery
• garlic
• Collard Greens

Directions:

1. First, soften the cowpeas by adding as desired to a pan. Add water until the cowpeas are covered by 3-4 inches. Bring the water to a boil. Once boiling, either turn down to warm or off. Let them soak overnight. If you are in a rush, boil for 3 hours.

2. After soaking the cowpeas, rinse well. Add broth to the softened cowpeas until covered 3 inches. Bring to a simmer.

3. Cut up your bacon into strips and cook in a pan. Remove once cooked, but leave the drippings in the pan. This should be used to cook the onions, garlic, celery, and thyme until the onions are cooked. Add with the parsley to your simmering pot of cowpeas and broth. Continue to simmer for about 20 minutes.

4. Add the collard greens and bacon, simmer for an additional 10 minutes. Additional broth or water may be needed to maintain your desired consistency.

5. Salt and pepper to taste, serve.