How to Make Texas Caviar for Holiday Gifts

Texas caviar can be used as a dip, a salad or a relish served alongside meats. The colors are beautiful and it has a refreshing, crisp, slightly spicy flavor that everyone can enjoy. It makes a perfect homemade gift during the holiday season.

Things You'll Need

• 1 (16 oz.) package frozen black-eyed peas
• 1 cup green pepper, diced
• 1 cup red bell pepper, diced
• 1/4 cup jalapeno pepper, diced
• 1 cup chopped green onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, diced
• 1 cup parsley, diced
• 2 tablespoons salt, or to taste
• 1/3 cup vegetable or olive oil
• 1/3 cup red wine vineger
• Cayenne pepper, to taste
• Mason jars
• Gift labels

Instructions

1. Cook black-eyed peas according to package instructions, or just until tender. About 20 to 30 minutes will do. Drain well.

2. Place black-eyed peas in a large mixing bowl. Toss with the peppers, onions, garlic and parsley. In a separate bowl, whisk together oil, vinegar and salt. You can adjust the oil and vinegar amounts according to your specific taste. Some people prefer a stronger vinegar finish, and less oil. It's OK to do a little experimenting here. Top this mixture off with cayenne pepper, to your taste, depending on how spicy you want it.

3. Pour the liquid mixture over the vegetables and mix well. Tightly cover the caviar and refrigerate it overnight to let the flavors meld.

4. Fill the mason jars with the caviar to prepare your gifts. Be sure to seal the lids very tightly. This is such a colorful dish, you don't need to add much to make it look festive. A simple ribbon around the top of the jar tops it off nicely.

5. Place an adhesive gift label on the top of the jar. Outside of the traditional "to" and "from," it is a good idea to tell people what you are giving them and what they can use it for. For example, you can include a little gift card that reads, "Texas Caviar: Serve with tortilla chips as a dip, or alongside beef as a salad or relish." Of course, this delicious blend should always be kept refrigerated until time to serve.

Tips & Warnings

• This gift can be given year round, but it works especially well during Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. Remember, the black-eyed peas are good luck for the upcoming year.