Turn a Can of Black Eyed Peas Into a Hearty Stew
I never thought I’d say this, but I’m pretty obsessed with canned black-eyed peas. Yes, they make great hummus , but they are also the perfect base for an incredibly filling and amazingly delicious stew that cooks in less than 15 minutes.
This is the perfect lazy pantry dinner. I almost hate calling it a “stew” because it doesn’t take that long to stew. All you need is a can of black peas, a couple of canned plum tomatoes, and a tablespoon of butter, and any seasonings you want to add. If you have leftovers from roasted vegetables or grains, add those too; all are invited. Tomato juice is mixed with butter to create a rich, savory broth perfect for hearty breads. It is assembled in less than 15 minutes, very satisfying and takes much longer than it actually is.
When it comes to condiments, feel free to get creative. Salt and fresh pepper are all you need, but I tried the soy sauce, fish sauce, nutritional yeast, and this new seasoning by Trader Joe’s Umami and loved them all. (If I’m very lazy, I’ll add a spoonful of Better than Bouillon non-beef base.) To make this insanely lazy but delicious dish, you’ll need:
- 1 can of 15 oz black-eyed peas, dried but not rinsed
- 2 canned plum tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Seasonings to taste
Drain the peas and add them to a medium saucepan or casserole. Add the tomatoes (save the rest for the sauce or whatever) and cut them into small pieces using clean kitchen scissors. Add oil, bring everything to a boil, and simmer until the tomatoes are tender and melt in the stew. Season to taste with salt and pepper, nooch , a Better than Broth teaspoon, or your favorite seasoning mixture. Serve with hearty bread or a classic salty cracker.