Syrian Black Eyed Peas Recipes

Steps:

• In a large saucepan saute onion and garlic in olive oil over medium heat until tender.
• Add tomatoes, reserved liquid, black-eyed peas salt, pepper, cayenne, if desired. Cook 10 minutes.
• Check for seasoning. Add a pinch or so of sugar if needed. (Helps tone down the acid bite of the tomatoes.)

Steps:

• Pick through the peas removing any damaged beans or debris. Rinse and place in a large soup pot. Fill pot with water until it rises about five inches above the beans. Bring water to a brisk boil. Turn off heat and cover pot, letting it sit for 60 to 90 minutes. Drain in a colander.
• Return the black-eyed peas to the pot along with 4 ½ cups of fresh water and bring to a boil. Reduce to a low simmer, cover and cook for 40 minutes or until the peas are tender.
• Once the peas are cooked, heat the oil over medium high heat in a large skillet. Once the oil is hot add the whole dried chile (it should sizzle a bit). Add the garlic and stir once. Add the black-eyed peas and cooking liquid along with the bay leaves, oregano, oregano, thyme, paprika and salt. Simmer for 20 minutes uncovered over low heat.
• Serve with rice.

Steps:

• Put the peas in a large bowl, add water to cover by 2 inches, and soak overnight.
• Blacken the onion: If you have a gas stove, turn one burner on high and place the onion halves directly on the grates next to the flame and cook, turning occasionally, until the onion is charred on all sides, about 5 minutes. Otherwise, heat the broiler and broil the onion on a baking sheet a few inches from the heat, turning occasionally, until charred, 1 to 2 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• When the onion is cool enough to handle, poke 2 cloves into each half, and add the onion to a large stockpot. Drain the peas, discarding the liquid, and then transfer the peas to the pot.
• Place the garlic, peppercorns, bay leaves and chile on a 12-inch square of cheesecloth and wrap tightly, using twine to seal the packet.
• Add 6 quarts water and the spice packet to the pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Skim any foam that collects on the surface, then reduce to a simmer. Stir in the olive oil and 1 tablespoon salt and cook, stirring and skimming occasionally, until the peas are fully cooked and the cooking liquid has thickened, 1 to 2 hours.
• Discard the spice packet, season with the remaining 1 tablespoon salt (or to taste) and the hot sauce and serve.

Steps:

• Rinse peas and pick over for bad or discolored peas and small stones; transfer to a medium saucepan. Cover with stock or water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and continue cooking for 5 minutes; set aside.
• In a large stock pot heat vegetable oil over low heat. Add the onion, diced carrot, and garlic. Cook, stirring, until tender, about 6 to 8 minutes.
• Add peas and enough stock or water to cover by 2 inches. Add pepper flakes, black pepper, thyme, and oregano. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium and simmer, covered, for about 1 hour. Uncover and cook for 30 to 45 minutes longer, or until peas are tender - the longer you cook them, the better they will be. Add more wateror stock as needed to keep them moist.
• Serve with olive oil, Tobasco, hot baked cornbread and a tossed salad or steamed collards.