Skip to main content

Black-Eyed Peas with Greens

Black-eyed peas and nourishing greens, two foods well-loved in Southern and “soul” cookery, have flavors that team companionably. Serve with baked sweet potatoes, fresh corn bread, and sliced tomatoes.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    6 servings

Ingredients

12 to 16 ounces fresh greens (kale, collards, mustard greens, or Swiss chard)
2 tablespoons light olive oil
1 large onion, quartered and thinly sliced
One 16-ounce can black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar or apple cider vinegar, or to taste
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Wash the greens well. Remove and discard the stems. Trim away thick mid-ribs from the leaves. Discard them or slice thinly and use. Chop the leaves coarsely.

    Step 2

    Heat the oil in a large soup pot or steep-sided stir-fry pan. Add the onion and sauté over medium heat until golden. Add the greens, cover, and steam until tender. If using Swiss chard, just the water clinging to the leaves is sufficient. For kale and collards, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water as needed to keep the mixture moist. Allow 3 to 5 minutes to steam Swiss chard; 10 to 15 minutes to steam the other types of greens.

    Step 3

    Stir in the black-eyed peas and vinegar. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cook just until everything is heated through, and serve.

  2. variation

    Step 4

    Use pink, pinto, or black beans instead of black-eyed peas.

  3. black-eyed peas

    Step 5

    As the name suggests, these pale legumes have a black “eye.” Their use is prevalent in Africa, where they originated, in the American South, and in Persian cuisine. Black-eyed peas, and their smaller, browner cousin,the field pea, have a distinctive “fresh” flavor.

  4. Step 6

    Use them in marinated salads (try them in the flexible recipe for Marinated Beans, page 40) and with strong-flavored lettuces.

  5. Step 7

    Add some to cooked dark leafy greens, as in the recipe for Black-Eyed Peas with Greens (page 123).

  6. Step 8

    Black-eyed peas combine well with rice and other grains, and their flavor is enhanced by tomatoes, garlic, onions, and thyme.

  7. nutrition information

    Step 9

    Calories: 171

    Step 10

    Total Fat: 5g

    Step 11

    Protein: 7g

    Step 12

    Carbohydrate: 24g

    Step 13

    Cholesterol: 0mg

    Step 14

    Sodium: 110mg

The Vegetarian 5-Ingredient Gourmet
Read More
Khao niaow ma muang, or steamed coconut sticky rice with ripe mango, is a classic in Thai cuisine—and you can make it at home.
With just a handful of ingredients, this old-fashioned egg custard is the little black dress of dinner party desserts—simple and effortlessly chic.
With rich chocolate flavor and easy customization, this hot cocoa recipe is just the one you want to get you through winter.
This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.
A slow-simmering, comforting braise delivering healing to both body and soul.
Crunchy and crowd-pleasing, this salad can be prepared in advance and customized to your heart’s content.
Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.
Summer’s best produce cooked into one vibrant, silky, flavor-packed dish.