Black Eyed Peas...

Good Morning!  It looks like another New Year is upon us...and what would New Year be without good old southern Black Eyed Peas?  I think I want as much good luck as I can get sooo...lets Do This!

Ingredients:

1 - heavy bottomed pot with lid and a wooden spoon.

1 - small bag of DRIED black eyed peas (You CAN use Frozen black eyes but watch the cooking time and taste often)
1 - Large Bell Pepper (diced)
1 - Large Onion (any kind, diced)
1/4 stick of butter
3 to 4 slices bacon, raw (chopped up)
1 OR 2 Cups of sliced green beans (optional)
1 OR 2 links of your favorite sausage (your choice)
Salt & Pepper to taste, at the END of cooking time. (The sausage and bacon have salt in them.)


Add 2 to 3 boxes Chicken Stock  (enough to cover peas with at least an inch or two overage because it's going to simmer for several hours...you want enough liquid in the pot!  You can add water to thin it out, if necessary or more stock...Taste it.  Too rich? Thin with water.)

Instructions:

Sauté the onion and bell pepper in the pot you're going to use for the peas, until translucent.
Add sausage and bacon, sauté with the bell pepper and onion.
Pour in dried peas...stir.
STIR all until hot and well sautéed...
Pour in the stock...covering an inch or two over pea mixture.
Bring to a rolling boil for at least 5 minutes.
Cut heat back to simmer (low)
May take several hours...taste peas occasionally to make sure they are tender.  Don't leave the house until done...shut off the heat and you can add the green beans at this point, IF you choose.  Canned is fine.
Serve

Feeds a large family or it's great if you want to put it in Ziploc freezer bags and freeze for other meals later on.  I've kept them at least up to six months in the freezer. (They don't seem to last long around here!  Great with fried chicken, pork roast...whatever you like!
Hope you enjoy this recipe...My husband created it for our New Year's table...our version.

Happy New Year!