Frozen black-eyed peas are a nutritious source of protein, iron, zinc, potassium, folate and fiber, but they can be bland and boring straight out of the package. However, they are a convenient way to add a healthy side dish to a meal, so they are worth including in your eating plan. With a few spices and seasonings, the black-eyed peas will go from boring to flavorful in no time.
Step 1
Open a package of frozen black-eyed peas and place them in a saucepan.
Step 2
Add a small amount of water to the saucepan. Place the frozen black-eyed peas into the saucepan. Place the saucepan over medium heat and cover it with a lid.
Step 3
Heat the black-eyed peas, stirring occasionally, until they are steaming hot, which will take about 10 minutes. Add some more water to the saucepan if the black-eyed peas begin to stick to the bottom of the pan before they're cooked.
Step 4
Strain the water from the saucepan by pouring the black-eyed peas in a colander. Transfer the hot black-eyed peas to a serving dish.
Step 5
Shake your favorite herbs and spices over the black-eyed peas and stir to combine. Use garlic powder, cayenne pepper and red chili flakes for a spicy side dish or add celery seed, thyme and oregano for a milder flavor. A simple sprinkle of salt and pepper will enhance the flavor of the beans, as well. Cumin, allspice, chives, dill, marjoram and paprika are additional spices that combine well with the taste of black-eyed peas.
References
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: Cowpeas (Blackeyes), Immature Seeds, Cooked, Boiled, Drained, With Salt
- Handbook of Spices, Seasonings and Flavorings; Susheela Raghavan
Resources
Tips
- Eat seasoned black-eyed peas plain as a side dish or use them in a variety of other recipes. Add the seasoned black-eyed peas to soup or combine them with chopped vegetables to make a healthy salad. Top the black-eyed peas and vegetables with low-fat salad dressing as another way to use the seasoned peas.
- Experiment with different combinations of herbs and spices to find a variety of new tastes.
- Replace dried herbs and spices with fresh versions. Fresh herbs can add an even bolder and more robust taste to a serving of black-eyed peas.
Warnings
- Don't overcook the black-eyed peas. If you cook them too long, they will begin to get dried out and hard. They also won't taste as flavorful of you let them cook for too long.
Writer Bio
Sara Ipatenco has taught writing, health and nutrition. She started writing in 2007 and has been published in Teaching Tolerance magazine. Ipatenco holds a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in education, both from the University of Denver.
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