Here's a damn fine collards and black-eyed pea soup recipe. You can use ham hocks, but for the price and convenience, I prefer this:
Black-eyed Pea and Collard Greens Soup--------------------------------------
Ingredients:
4 cups dried black-eyed peas
2 tbs extra virgin olive oil
2 large yellow onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
4 oz ham base (or a couple of ham hocks)
4 stalks celery, chopped
12 cups chicken broth
1 huge or (2 regular) bunch(es) collard greens, leaves thinly sliced. Don't wash in tub.
8 carrots, chopped
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tbs turmeric (must have)
dash cayenne pepper
Put peas in bowl, cover with water, and let set for 8 hrs.
Drain and rinse well.
- Heat oil over medium heat in large soup pot.
- Add onion, garlic, celery, and ham base.
- Cook until onion is translucent (5-8 minutes).
- Add peas and broth, bring to boil. If using ham hocks instead of base, add now.
- Reduce heat and simmer, partially covered until peas are tender (approx 45 minutes).
- Add collards, carrots, and spices and simmer until tender (approx 15-20 minutes)
Easy to make. Tastes fabulous.
