43 blackened recipes

Black-eyed pea and crab salad with bacon, roasted peppers, and fresh herbs in a bright vinaigrette. A Stephan Pyles-style Southwestern recipe served on gorditas or crisp tortillas.

This is one of my favorites. Deep fried tofu with a peanut sauce for dipping. This one calls for pressing the tofu first. It makes it denser.

Black-eyed peas simmered in ham hock broth, tossed with sweet crabmeat, crispy bacon, tri-color bell peppers, and fresh herbs, then ringed with juicy ruby grapefruit sections. Southern elegance on a platter.

Along the coast of the Southern US eating Hoppin' John on New Year's Day is thought to bring a year filled with luck and prosperity. The beans symbolize coins or pennies. Sometimes a penny is added to the pot or can be left under the bowls of Hoppin' John. Greens such as Collards, chard or kale can be added and symbolize the color of money and are said to add to ones wealth in the new year. The day after New Year's Day the leftovers are called "Skippin' Jenny," and further demonstrates one's frugality. A common tradition in the south US is each person at the meal should leave three peas on their plate to ensure the New Year will be filled with Luck, Fortune and Romance. Another tradition holds that counting the number of peas in a serving predicts the amount of luck (or wealth) that will be collected over the next year.

Cuban black-eyed pea fritters fried golden, spiked with garlic and hot chili. Vegan, dairy-free, and the kind of crackling street snack meant to be eaten hot off the paper towel.

Maharagwe is an East African spiced bean dish simmering black-eyed peas in coconut milk with turmeric, chili powder, tomatoes, and cilantro. Vegan, creamy, and served over rice.

Pressure cooker Hoppin' John with brown basmati rice, wild rice, black-eyed peas, collard and mustard greens, and stewed tomatoes. A hearty Southern one-pot classic.

Good, inexpensive hearty meal although I would spice it up a little more probably with garlic and more onion.

Stack-in-a-pot stew layers browned ground beef, garlic, chopped onion, cherry tomatoes, and black-eyed peas in one pot. No stirring needed. Just simmer for 30 minutes and serve.

A warm beef and bacon stew is served over pasta. It's delicious and fills you up. A great fall or winter dish.

Hot Hoppin' John salad with black-eyed peas, rice, ham, and crispy bacon served over stir-fried cabbage. A Southern rice and pea dish with a kick of hot sauce.

Vegetarian gumbo with black-eyed peas, okra, corn, tomatoes, and the holy trinity in a homemade vegetable stock. A plant-based bayou bowl ready to ladle over cornbread.

Lamb Creole gumbo with browned lamb riblets, okra, black-eyed peas, stewed tomatoes, and white wine simmered low and slow. A hearty Louisiana-style pot that serves eight and freezes well.

Onion caviar with black-eyed peas, sweet Vidalia onions, green bell pepper, pimentos, and garlic in Italian dressing. A Southern marinated appetizer or side dish, best made overnight.

Mixed bean soup: a hearty medley of ten beans, peas, and lentils soaked and slow-simmered into a thick, savory pot, finished with red wine and fresh parsley. Frugal, high-fibre comfort in a bowl.

Hearty lima beans and black-eyed peas tossed with roasted cashews, crunchy veggies, and a smoky cumin-balsamic dressing. Vegetarian, protein-packed, and ready in 20 minutes.