Smoky Sweet Black-Eyed Peas

I love black-eyed peas and I don’t just reserve them for New Year’s luck. Any day that I can eat them is a lucky day.

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Ingredients

1 teaspoon oil optional
1 medium to large onion thinly sliced
2 –3 cloves garlic minced
1 cup diced red pepper
1 small jalapeno or other hot chile minced
1 –2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 –2 teaspoons mild or medium chili powder
1½ cups dried black-eyed peas soaked overnight and drained
4 dates chopped fine
1 cup water or vegetable broth
1 15-ounce can Fire Roasted tomatoes with green chilies
2 cups chopped greens such as kale collards or Swiss chard
Salt to taste

Instructions

Heat a pressure cooker over medium heat or set an electric pressure cooker to sauté. Add the oil if using or dry sauté the onion for a few minutes, adding some of the water if the onion starts to stick. Add the garlic and peppers and sauté for another minute. Add the smoked paprika and chili powder along with the peas and dates.
Stir to coat them and then add the water, stirring well to be sure that nothing is stuck to the bottom of the pressure cooker. Add the water.
Lock the lid on the pressure cooker. Cook at pressure for 3 minutes. Let the pressure come down naturally.
When time is up, carefully open the lid, tilting it away from you.
Add the tomatoes and greens and lock the lid on the pressure cooker for 5 minutes. Open the cooker. Taste and adjust seasonings.
Add salt to taste.

Notes

Note: You can cook this without a pressure cooker, if you don’t have one by following these directions and using 3 cups or more water, as needed instead of just 1 cup: Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Dry sauté the onion for a few minutes, adding some of the water if the onion starts to stick. Add the garlic and peppers and sauté for another minute. Add the smoked paprika and chili powder along with the peas and dates. Stir to coat them and then add the water to cover them. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to a simmer. Put a lid on, keeping it slightly ajar. Cook by simmering, keeping the peas covered with water, for 35–45 minutes until they are cooked through and almost all of the water has been absorbed. Drain any excess water.

Add the tomatoes and greens and cook for another 5 minutes or more until the greens are wilted. Add salt to taste.