Chicken And Black Eyed Pea Stew Recipes

HOPPIN' JOHN

Steps:

• Soak black-eyed peas in cool water for at least 6 hours. Rinse before using.
• Heat butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, green pepper, and celery and stir. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in soaked beans, then add chicken broth, ham hock, salt & pepper, and cayenne to taste. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cover the pot for 30 minutes.
• After 30 minutes, check the liquid level; if it's too soupy, cook with the lid off for another 15 minutes or so. If it's too thick, splash in a little more broth. Stir in vinegar, then taste for seasonings. Add more spice if needed.
• Serve over white or brown rice, making sure to get plenty of the cooking liquid spooned over the top. Or, you may mix the bean mixture with the rice before serving.
• Variations: Add red bell pepper, canned diced tomatoes, diced jalapenos, diced ham (instead of ham hocks), or sliced bacon (instead of ham hocks). Stir in torn-up kale when 5 minutes of cooking time remain. You can also use canned, drained black-eyed peas if preferred. Just use diced ham instead of ham hock and a little less broth, as peas won't need to cook as long.

WEST AFRICAN CHICKEN STEW

Steps:

• Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. In a Dutch oven, cook chicken over medium heat in 2 teaspoons oil for 4-6 minutes or until no longer pink; remove and set aside., In the same pan, saute onion in remaining oil until tender. Add garlic and ginger; cook 1 minute longer., Stir in the peas, tomatoes, sweet potato, broth, peanut butter, 1-1/4 teaspoons thyme and cayenne. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until potato is tender. Add chicken; heat through., Serve with rice if desired. Sprinkle with remaining thyme.

CHICKEN SMOTHERED WITH BLACK-EYED PEAS

Steps:

• Sprinkle a total of about 1 tablespoon of the seasoning mix evenly on the chicken pieces, patting it in by hand. Combine 1 tablespoon plus 2½ teaspoons of the seasoning mix with the flour in a plastic or paper bag, mixing well. Set aside.
• In a large skillet heat ½-inch oil to 350º over high heat. Just before frying, dredge the chicken pieces in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess. Fry the hen in the hot oil (large pieces and skin side down first) until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. (Adjust heat as needed to maintain the oil's temperature at about 350º.) Drain on paper towels and set aside.
• In a 5½ quart saucepan or large Dutch oven, melt the fat over high heat. Add the bacon and cook just until it starts to get crisp, about 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often. Stir in the onions, celery, bay leaves and 1 teaspoon of Tabasco. Cook until vegetables start to get tender, about 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the peas, 2 tablespoons plus ½ teaspoon seasoning mix and the sage, stirring well. Cook until all the oil and juice is absorbed and mixture starts sticking excessively, about 2 to 4 minutes, stirring often. Add the stock, chicken pieces and remaining 1 tablespoon Tabasco. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until chicken and peas are tender, about 1½ to 2 hours, stirring occasionally. (Note: Cooking time will vary according to toughness of chicken.) If desired, adjust seasoning toward the end of cooking time with additional seasoning mix. To serve, place 1 to 2 pieces of chicken on each plate. Mound about ½ cup rice to the side, then top the rice with about ½ cup peas. Spoon extra sauce over the peas and chicken.