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!