Black Eyed Peas were a staple in my home growing up. We ate them every first of the year as they are said to bring prosperity and luck to you in the coming year. These were a staple food to enslaved Africans, and history tell us that they were eaten after emancipation. My mother usually cooked a rather large pot with a nice pork hamhock and a bit of onion added. I wasn’t a fan as a child. But in order to go forth in the new year, my plate had to have a least one black eyed pea. It was required as a member of my household. My mother served her dish with it with cornbread and an old family relish called “Cha Cha” I revisited my take on that recipe here. So I indulged, and eventually, my little belly was happy. Those little “peas” were tasty. Especially when you had a little fatty pork to go with it.
When I became older, I made my own large pots of Black Eyed Peas, eager to take on the new year and soak up all the luck I could muster. Making this dish for folks I love required me to get a little creative, many of my friend live plant based lifestyles- no hamhock in these peas. A dash of liquid smoke gives this an extra smoky flavor without needing meat. Smoky Black Eyed Pea Hummus can be on your appetizer, brunch, snack or dinner table. It is that tasty and versatile. Over the years, I looked for ways to enjoy this legume that chased me as a youngster. I started tossing them in salads, stews and I eventually stumbled upon the idea of a dip. Dips keep my parties going. Enter the Smoky Black Eyed Pea Hummus. Make this and serve it at your next shindig. Your friends and loved ones will thank you.
If making this Smoky Black Eyed Pea Hummus with dried peas, allow them to soak overnight for at least 6 hours. Cook in vegetable stock and onion for power packed flavor. Oh yes, vegetarian friendly and uber spreadable. I’m sharing this recipe in partnership with over 25 bloggers to celebrate the flavors of the African Diaspora. Grab this recipe and several others and a bit of history too.
The Black History Month Potluck is lit and full of flavors from all over. Happy eating, friends.
- 1 &1/2 cups cooked black eyed peas (cooked with onions until tender) reserve one teaspoon of peas for garnish
- 3 gloves of roasted garlic (peeled)
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 tablespoon liquid smoke
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- thyme and parsley for garnish
- In a food processor combine roasted garlic with black eyed peas process for 6-8 pulses.
- Add half of extra virgin olive oil and liquid smoke and lemon juice
- Add seasonings and process until fully combined
- Continue to process until mixture is smooth
- Top with remaining olive oil and herbs for garnish
- Serve with toasted pita bread or baguette bread
Grab over 25 delightful dishes to make your Black History Month a soulful one. Links and recipes below:
Beautiful Eats & Things-Honey Herb Roasted Sweet Potatoes
D.M.R. Fine Foods-Vegetarian Chili
Dash of Jazz- Vegan Buttermilk Biscuits with Spiced Pear Compote
Dish it with Tisha-Mushroom and Okra Po’ Boy
Domestic Dee-Vegan Dirty Rice
Food Fidelity-Vegan Curry Cauliflower
Kenneth Temple-Wakanda Cake
Marisa Moore Nutrition- Black Eyed Pea Fritters
Meiko And The Dish-Cajun Shrooms
Rosalynn Daniels-Vegan Bread Pudding
Savory Thoughts-Haitian Black Rice (Diri Djon Djon)
The Hungry Hutch-Vegetarian Southern-Style Collard Greens
Whisk it Real Gud-Vegan Jollof rice
A Little Food-Southern Sweet Fried Corn
A Girl Called Adri-Pound Cake
Baum Ass Foods-Slow cooked black eyed peas + greens
Collards Are the Old Kale-Red Beans and Tri-Color Quinoa
FoodLoveTog-Black Eyed Pea Hummus
Her Mise En Place-Rice Pudding
Kalisha Blair-Yeasted Cornmeal Dinner Rolls
Kenya Rae-Sweet Potato Biscuits
On Ty’s Plate-Collard Greens Salad with Orange Vinaigrette
Orchids + Sweet Tea-Banana Cake + Cinnamon Browned Butter Buttercream
Razzle Dazzle Life-Roasted Garlic White Veggie Lasagna
Sweet Tea and Thyme-Sweet Potato Casserole with Brown Sugar Topping
Marisa Moore Nutrition- Spicy Roasted Okra with Peanut Sauce
Meiko and the Dish-Sweet Potato Pancakes
Kenneth Temple-Vegan File Gumbo
Make sure you go grab some tasty recipes to make your Black History Month a well seasoned one.
Happy eating, friends.
I just got the Food 52 email today, and your hummus was the first recipe I tried. It is off-the-scale delicious. I made myself a sandwich using it and also had it on tortilla chips… YUM!! I love hummus anyway, but this one is special. I love the smoky flavor!!
thank you so much!!