Vegan Soul Food Black-Eyed Peas
Cook’em Low & Slow: Vegan Black Eyed-Peas
New vegan? New year new you? Or maybe you’re just trying something new!! Let’s talk about one of my favorite soul food dishes black-eyed peas.
On my vegan journey one of the first dishes I learned how to veganize was black-eyed peas. This is a very simple dish to make and trust me you won’t even miss the meat.
Before I get into it if you don’t remember anything in this recipe take note of this tip from my Auntie Dee… “Whatever your broth tastes like that’s what your peas are gonna taste like.” This is the golden rule of cooking!!! It applies to so many things you have to build your flavors !!!
Any and all measurements are estimated. I don’t measure seasonings or ingredients I like to go with the flow.. A sprinkle of this, a sprinkle of that and taste.
Recipe:
Step 1
Start with dry black eyed-peas and soak them in a bowl with water. Overnight is best but 2-4 hours will do.
Soak 1 bag of dried black-eyed peas
Step 2
Build your broth!! Take out your favorite pot, add about 1 cup of water and 2 cups of veggie broth turn your heat on low to medium. You will need enough liquid to cover your peas. If you’re in doubt, start with less liquid you can add more later.
Please DO NOT add the peas until Step 4
Step 3
Now it’s time to sprinkle, sprinkle and spice it up!!! Add in your favorite seasonings nothing is off limits this is where we build the flavor for our peas (and we wanna make Auntie proud right??!!).
Taste your broth and be sure you like it. Your beans will only tastes as good as your broth.
Let it flow and sprinkle, sprinkle, taste. Some of the seasonings I like to use are better than bouillon broth base, black pepper, adobo, sofrito, Trader Joe’s 21 seasoning salute and Trader Joe’s vegan chicken-less seasoning salt.
Step 4 —- Here’s Where you add in the soaked beans!!!
When you’re happy with your broth add your peas. Your broth should be at a gentle boil if your broth is bubbling and popping up at you please turn the flame down!! Make sure the peas are completely covered. Bring them to a medium boil, give the peas a good stir and turn the heat down to a simmer. I like to cook my peas low and slow so they soak up all the flavor in the broth. Cook them for about 2-3 hours. You want them soft but not mushy.
Optional:
Step 5
Thicken it up!!! There are a few different ways to thicken your broth.
1) Add about 1 Tbsp of corn starch and mix well the broth will thicken like magic!!
2) Preferred Method: Take out about 1/2 cup of peas, mash them with a fork and add them back in to the pot.
3) About halfway through cooking add 1/2 cup of frozen lima beans they make a thick sauce when cooked and will help thicken your broth.