EASY CREOLE BLACK-EYED PEAS

I had fantastic luck with this recipe. Super delicious! Hubby loved it too. I used an Instant Pot pressure cooker but you can easily make this on the stove. Use a food processor to chop the vegetables if you have difficulties chopping by hand or are short on time.

The recipe is from Susan Voisin at the blog “Fat Free Vegan Kitchen” which was adjusted only slightly: Creole Black-eyed Peas

Dr. Axe has a thorough article about black-eyed peas, which are really beans: 5 Black-Eyed Pea Benefits, Including Relieving Constipation

Here is Dr. Greger's video about the nutrient content of food that is cooked in a pressure cooker: Does Pressure Cooking Preserve Nutrients?

EASY CREOLE BLACK-EYED PEAS

Ingredients

1 large onion, chopped (mine measured 2 cups)

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 rib celery, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced (I used large ones)

2 cups dried black-eyed peas, picked over and rinsed

5 cups water

15 ounces canned diced tomatoes

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon salt or to taste

1/8 teaspoon cayenne or more to taste (I used 1/4 teaspoon)

1 Tablespoon hot sauce or to taste

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon Liquid Smoke flavoring

I also added 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

1. Heat a large pressure cooker over high heat (use the Sauté button on the Instant Pot).

2. Add the onion and dry sauté until it begins to brown. (add a splash of water when wants to stick)

3. Add the bell pepper, celery, and garlic and cook for another 2 minutes, adding a tablespoon or two of water if needed to prevent sticking.

4. Add the black-eyed peas and water, seal the cooker, and bring to high pressure. Cook at high pressure for 10 minutes. (Use the Manual button on the Instant Pot and set to 10 minutes.) Remove from heat and allow pressure to come down naturally.

5. Once the pressure is down, open the cooker and add all remaining ingredients except Liquid Smoke. Return to the heat and simmer for 15-30 minutes, until peas are completely soft and thickened. (Recipe says to use Sauté on Instant Pot and adjust to low but I used the Soup setting on low.)

6. Add the Liquid Smoke and cook for another 5 minutes.

7. Serve hot over rice with more hot sauce on the table. (I served with Hot Water Cornbread rather than rice. Had my leftovers with steamed kale.)

To make without a pressure cooker: Soak the peas overnight in cold water. Drain. Follow the directions for sautéing the vegetables. Then add all ingredients except liquid smoke to the pot, along with enough additional water to cover the peas by one inch. Cook until peas are completely tender, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours, adding more water as necessary. When they’re tender, add the Liquid Smoke, cook for 5 more minutes, and serve over rice.