Friday, January 03, 2014

Food Friday: Texas Caviar

It is a Southern tradition that a heaping serving of black eyed peas on New Year’s day will help to secure good luck in the new year.  Though I live in yankee territory these days, I love this tradition and always serve some black eyed peas to start the year.  This year’s black eyed peas are a recipe I first learned about when I lived in Tennessee: Texas Caviar.  Over the years, I’ve adapted my version to include black beans, corn, and tomatoes.  You’ll need a big bowl to mix it up some good luck for yourself.
Ingredients
1 can of black-eyed peas
1 can of black beans
1 can of corn
1 can of petite diced tomatoes (I use spicy, if they are available)
1 can of diced Ortega green chiles
1 green pepper, finely diced
1 medium red onion, finely diced 
1 jalapeno, seeded and finely diced
4 large cloves of garlic, minced
juice from half a lime
1 teaspoon Chili Powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons Ground Cumin
dash (or 2!) of cayenne
¼ cup chopped cilantro

Drain and rinse the black-eyed peas, black beans, and corn.  Drain the tomatoes.  Then get a big ole’ bowl and mix all ingredients together. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours before serving. Serve with tortilla chips or Fritos Scoops.  It could also be served with quesadillas or in a lettuce wrap.  No matter how you choose to serve it, Texas Caviar is a delicious way to secure your good luck for 2014.  Y’all get to work and make yourself some today!

1 comment:

Nichole said...

One of my favorite snacks! We call it cowboy caviar here. :-) I like to add avocado when it's cheap enough.