Behind The Butter

black eyed pea stew

hello and welcome to a whole week of ELR savory recipes!

I’m doing this to challenge myself because all too often I end up eating canned beans for dinner with a side of cupcake. To be perfectly honest, cooking isn’t my strong point! I enjoy it, but baking is just so much more fun for me. My mom’s a great cook…but not me. I’m too neurotically anal about following directions and measurements to ever be a real chef.

But I love to eat…and I love to serve. I think Adam almost fell out of his chair when I told him I would be cooking a homemade dinner every single night this week. Heh heh heh.

And to kick it all off, I bring to you black eyed pea stew!

They say you should eat black eyed peas on New Years to ensure good luck all year long. Well, I’m not sure who “they” are and I’m a week late, but hope that eating this delicious stew brings bring lots of good luck!

The stew is thick with spicy chicken andouille sausage, collard greens, tomatoes and black eyed peas, of course.

I think the best part though, was that it literally came together in half an hour! That doesn’t include cooking the beans, of course, but you get my drift. Beans like this are very easy to cook ahead of time and store in the fridge or buy fresh, which was what I did yesterday. All I had to do was simmer them for eight minutes and they were good to go!

If you  have a Trader Joe’s within a fifty mile radius of your house, I highly recommend picking up some of their chicken sausage. I luuuuuuurve it.

I almost love chicken sausage as much as I love one pot meals. Cause who has time to do a million dishes?

This stew is healthy, tasty and sticks with you awhile due to all the protein in the sausage and beans. The collards are sneaky in there, too. Oh, and it’s a wee bit spicy. You’ll love it!

Black Eyed Pea Stew

serves 8

2 cups cooked black eyed peas (prepared from dry or from fresh according to package directions)

1 12-oz bag chopped collard greens

1/2 large yellow onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 28-oz can diced tomatoes

4 cups vegetable stock

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

1 bay leaf

1 tsp salt

12 oz chicken andouille sausage (or regular..whatever floats your boat!), chopped into 1/2 inch thick slices

1 T canola oil

1 T cider vinegar

Heat the canola oil in a large dutch oven over medium heat. When hot, add the chopped onion and saute until soft and translucent—about six minutes. Add the garlic and saute thirty more seconds.

Add the chopped sausage and stir everything together. Cook for another five minutes, stirring often, so that the sausage can brown a bit. Then, add the veggie stock, black eyed peas, cayenne pepper, bay leaf and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for fifteen minutes.

Add the tomatoes, collards and vinegar. Simmer for another ten minutes or so until the greens have wilted and cooked down a little. Serve with hot sauce and cornbread on the side.

Cupcakes go well with this. I know from experience.

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  • megan @ blackberries for jam
    January 10, 2011 at 5:04 am

    This looks fantastic. Perfect for a chilly winter evening. Cooking beans from scratch makes such a difference in flavor!

  • megan @ whatmegansmaking
    January 10, 2011 at 5:10 am

    I’ve never had black eyed peas before! Do they have the same texture as beans? I love chicken sausage though, so I’d be willing to try this 🙂

    • alicia
      January 10, 2011 at 9:02 am

      they are beans! so yes, they do!

  • Estela @ Weekly Bite
    January 10, 2011 at 5:16 am

    I love black-eyed peas! And I agree with you… TJ’s chicken andouille sausage is the best thing going 🙂

  • Lauren at KeepItSweet
    January 10, 2011 at 5:18 am

    I have actually never had black eyed peas! What is the texture like, regular beans?

    • jenna
      January 10, 2011 at 2:59 pm

      yep…pretty much!

  • Justeen @ Blissful Baking
    January 10, 2011 at 5:19 am

    Mm this looks so warm and delicious! I think I am going to like savory week 🙂

  • Blog is the New Black
    January 10, 2011 at 5:20 am

    Looks awesome- I’ve never even had BEP, not that I know of at least…?

    • jenna
      January 10, 2011 at 3:00 pm

      I love that you used “BEP” here…amazing.

  • Jil @ Big City, Lil Kitchen
    January 10, 2011 at 5:21 am

    Wow – that looks incredible. I can’t believe that I’ve never actually had black eyed peas…I think it’s time to change that! – and with this recipe. LOVE andouille!

  • Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
    January 10, 2011 at 5:21 am

    Never had a black eyed pea!

  • Heather (Heather's Dish)
    January 10, 2011 at 5:23 am

    i love black eyed peas, and this stew sounds incredible! they always transport me back to home in Texas, and i love it when food does that.

  • Paige @ Running Around Normal
    January 10, 2011 at 5:24 am

    Oh, yum! I actually picked up that sausage from TJ’s this weekend for Shane. I think I’ll make it without it for me, and with it for him!

  • Marcy
    January 10, 2011 at 5:25 am

    Jenna,

    I made your White Chicken Chili recipe last weekend, but doubled the recipe and added two cans of black eyed peas along with the two cans of Cannellini Beans.

    The flavor and texture was great!

    • kristin
      January 10, 2011 at 7:05 am

      ooooh good idea, i love beans!!

    • jenna
      January 10, 2011 at 2:59 pm

      awesome!

  • Bethany
    January 10, 2011 at 5:31 am

    I love how hearty and nutritious this stew looks! And you’re right — the TJ’s chicken sausage is amazing. SO many flavors and ranges of spiciness, etc. I haven’t found a better selection, anywhere!

  • Michele @ Healthy Cultivations
    January 10, 2011 at 5:34 am

    I love the collards in your stew. I love collard greens, but I’ve only eaten them in restaurants. It’s really time I prepare them at home… especially since I’m celebrating my one year anniversary of moving to the south this week.

  • Baking 'n' Books
    January 10, 2011 at 5:35 am

    That’s a great challenge. I always fall into the same routine. If I commit to do it or plan, maybe I’d do it.

    And this recipe looks like a good place to start! Can you sub out the sausage for chicken or something? Or use a different type of beans?

    • jenna
      January 10, 2011 at 2:58 pm

      You can pretty much do whatever you want…personally, I wouldn’t sub the sausage though because it gives it a lot of flavor! You could try different beans though.

  • M
    January 10, 2011 at 5:38 am

    Ah, I wish you would do savoury meals/or recipes much more of the time!
    That is the road to my heart-savoury over sweet any day (except for
    ice cream and dark chocolate of course!)

    A request to do one savoury week each month???(actually daily would be my dream 😉

    • jenna
      January 10, 2011 at 2:59 pm

      hmmm that sounds like a good challenge!!

  • Kylie @ A Hungry Spoon
    January 10, 2011 at 5:39 am

    I LOVE black-eyed pea dishes 🙂 We made a black-eyed pea salad for New Year’s Day family dinner ever year (for good luck, as you mentioned. Though I also wonder who “they” are?). Your soup looks fantastic!

    Happy Monday to you 🙂

  • Krystina (Basil & Wine)
    January 10, 2011 at 5:41 am

    Looks tasty!

  • Amalfi Girl (EatRunHaveFun!)
    January 10, 2011 at 5:43 am

    Those cupcakes are just so beautiful. Almost too beautiful to eat….
    Almost!

    • jenna
      January 10, 2011 at 2:58 pm

      they taste better than they look! 😉

  • Chicken on the Green
    January 10, 2011 at 5:45 am

    Yum! I love black eyed peas, but usually only eat them at New Years. This soup looks delicious. I will have to add it to my list of things to make!

  • Amanda (Eating Up)
    January 10, 2011 at 5:45 am

    Score! I have TJ’s chicken sausage in my fridge right now.

  • Lindsey @ Dishes 'N' Diapers
    January 10, 2011 at 5:50 am

    Looks cozy and comforting… just the way soup should be! I love the addition of chicken sausage- I usually use ham in mine. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for the rest of the week!

  • Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun
    January 10, 2011 at 5:55 am

    I’m on such a huge soup kick. This looks so good.

  • Camille
    January 10, 2011 at 6:04 am

    Duh! Cupcakes go well with everything (especially more cupcakes)! 🙂

  • Kristen @ That Hoosier Girl
    January 10, 2011 at 6:05 am

    I gotta feeling…that this would be delicious 🙂

  • Liz @ Tip Top Shape
    January 10, 2011 at 6:08 am

    This looks great!!

  • Cathy B. @ Bright Bakes
    January 10, 2011 at 6:12 am

    winter evening perfection! Thanks jenna.
    love,
    cathy b.

  • notyet100
    January 10, 2011 at 6:14 am

    most of the time,even i go for one pot meal most of the time

  • Michelle @ Turning Over a New Leaf
    January 10, 2011 at 6:32 am

    I love the little ballerina topper. 🙂 I used to put those exact same toppers on my cakes all the time when I was a wee one!

    • kristin
      January 10, 2011 at 9:21 am

      Do you know where you can get them? Adorable.

  • Beth @ DiningAndDishing
    January 10, 2011 at 6:35 am

    I’m a huge fan of TJ’s andouille sausage! Nice and spicy. Looking forward to this week of savory recipes Jenna – you’re off to a strong start!

  • JENNA
    January 10, 2011 at 6:36 am

    i love black-eyed peas and anything spicy! this recipe looks great! can’t wait to see more savory recipes!

  • Stephanie
    January 10, 2011 at 6:49 am

    Hah! Cupcakes go great with EVERYTHING!

    • jenna
      January 10, 2011 at 2:57 pm

      yes…yes they do.

  • Elizabeth@The Sweet Life
    January 10, 2011 at 6:49 am

    Those photos just look so wholesome, fresh, and delicious! Thanks for helping us to balance out our sugar overload with some savory recipies.

  • Linda
    January 10, 2011 at 6:52 am

    This black eyed pea stew looks amazing… It’s perfect when it’s cold outside!

  • jen@taste life
    January 10, 2011 at 6:56 am

    Oooh, savory week! This looks really good.

  • Melomeals: Vegan for $3.33 a Day
    January 10, 2011 at 6:59 am

    Beans and Greens are two of my favorite things. Collards especially.

    I am so much more a saovry chef than a baker. I’m doing a post today on baking with stevia and was thinking about how hilarious it is that I bake anything at all given my extreme distaste for measuring anything.

  • Angharad
    January 10, 2011 at 7:01 am

    Oh hell yes. This has my name written all over it. I am such a one-pot wonder gal – love big hearty soups and stews and anything that involves spicy sausage has my heart! Love it, Jenna!

  • Maria
    January 10, 2011 at 7:02 am

    Great hearty stew! Perfect for a cold day-like today:)

  • jenn
    January 10, 2011 at 7:02 am

    Hey jenna, I feel the need to say that I like the old format of your blog, with maybe a few recipes mixed in…. you and ohsheglow’s blog are looking too similar. I love your writing and recipes, but I like the older stuff too and more. With support xo

  • Alina
    January 10, 2011 at 7:04 am

    I am not sure if I’ve ever had black eyed peas. That Adam is seriously lucking out this week!

    • jenna
      January 10, 2011 at 2:57 pm

      He is a lucky man…but I’m even luckier!

  • kristin
    January 10, 2011 at 7:07 am

    I am VERY excited about this soup, and even more excited about a whole week of savory!! Maybe you can bring this back every once in a while? Or do like Savory Saturdays or something, like a once a week thing? Guess you’ll have to see how it goes. Thanks Jenna!!

  • katryn@rampantcuisine
    January 10, 2011 at 7:12 am

    Wow, this looks so delicious! I wish hubs liked beans…

  • CathyK
    January 10, 2011 at 7:32 am

    have to say i would much rather bake than cook, too. poor husband often has to eat store prepped food…but he does get a lot of cookies, squares and muffins!
    looking forward to a week of savoury – maybe i will be inspired! (although likely will make your oh baby bars instead!)

  • Whitney
    January 10, 2011 at 7:34 am

    That looks delicious and would warm me up in this snowy weather!

  • Natalia - a side of simple
    January 10, 2011 at 7:50 am

    I’m a big fan of chicken sausage and cupcakes, but not together…just yet…
    And I’m more than excited for dinner this week due to your virtual menus that I’ll be tuning into 🙂

  • Amy @ What Jew Wanna Eat
    January 10, 2011 at 8:07 am

    This looks fab! I moved from an area with three Trader Joe’s to an area of none at all. I miss TJ. A lot. I cry about it sometimes.

  • Andrea @ The Skinny Chronicles
    January 10, 2011 at 8:12 am

    I’m digging it. Definitely gonna add it to the list. Brilliant with the sausage. Thanks for the recipe.

  • Marie-Journey to Body Zen
    January 10, 2011 at 8:15 am

    I’ve never been in a Trader Joe’s but hear such great things. I live in NH and the closest one is in Mass.

  • Raya @ RayaRuns
    January 10, 2011 at 8:30 am

    I just moved to Phoenix and FINALLY there is a Trader Joe’s near me!!!!!!!! So far I’m lovin’ it.

  • Sarah (Sarah Learns)
    January 10, 2011 at 8:42 am

    this looks great! can’t wait to try it. also, how have i never tried tj’s chicken sausage? this will change soon.

  • Maria @ The Fitted Apron
    January 10, 2011 at 8:54 am

    The stew looks scrumptious. I need to put all of your recipes in one little binder.

  • alicia
    January 10, 2011 at 9:04 am

    i LOVE black eyed peas! we have hoppin john every new years for good luck!
    this stew looks amazing.

  • Traci(faithfulfoodiefashionista)
    January 10, 2011 at 9:06 am

    Oh how I love black -eyed peas! Yum Yum 🙂

  • Gabby (Quest for Delicious)
    January 10, 2011 at 9:26 am

    As if the stew wasn’t making me hungry enough, you just had to throw in the dreamy cupcake picture at the end! (; Looks awesome!

  • Jenna @ Eating Green, Staying Lean
    January 10, 2011 at 9:34 am

    That soup looks awesome, I’ve been meaning to try a black eyed pea soup recipe somewhere in the near future! One pot meals are also easy because you can take the leftovers with you to work for lunch the next few days 🙂

  • Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga)
    January 10, 2011 at 9:45 am

    I want the cupcake! Ok the stew looks awesome too!

    That’s interesting that you say you are a measure-it-out girl and your mom isn’t. I would have totally pegged you as a wing-it and dump it in girl. Then again, with traditional baking, you can’t be that way….things dont turn out! Which is why I am an unbaker/raw baker/nobake kind of baker…me and measuring cups…I need to use them more 🙂

    Have a great week Jenna!

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey
    January 10, 2011 at 9:54 am

    I love how you managed to sneak a picture of a cupcake during savory week. Sneaky sneaky!

  • Marg
    January 10, 2011 at 10:03 am

    I love Black Eyed Peas, this looks like a great soup.

  • Maryea {Happy Healthy Mama}
    January 10, 2011 at 10:07 am

    I love the colors of this soup. It’s pretty!

  • Helen
    January 10, 2011 at 10:09 am

    I love this recipe! I haven’t even tasted it yet but it includes many of my favorite food items. We are having colder temps in Louisiana this week, I will have to make this one night. Thanks for sharing 🙂

    • jenna
      January 10, 2011 at 2:56 pm

      yay! Let me know if you make it..it’s perfect for chilly January weather!

  • Amy
    January 10, 2011 at 10:41 am

    Ooh, I think I might have to make this with some veggie sausage!

  • Rachel @ Grateful Girl Goes Gluten Free
    January 10, 2011 at 11:15 am

    Woohoo to a week of savory! I have been on such a soup kick lately that I will definitely making this one soon.

  • Sarah (OC2Seattle)
    January 10, 2011 at 11:23 am

    Can you ever go wrong with TJ’s sausage? Really. Can’t wait to give this a try – looks perfect for our threatened “snow day.”

  • Candice @ChiaSeedMe
    January 10, 2011 at 11:28 am

    What a great way to challenge yourself, Jenna! I am the same in that I always bake, but I’m not that great of a cook…unless you count throwing together random ingredients around the kitchen cooking:) I’m more of a cookie girl though. After posting yet another cookie recipe on my blog last night I thought about the fact that my readers are probably sick to death of cookie recipes. On the other hand, who could ever really get sick of cookie recipes?

  • Kelly
    January 10, 2011 at 11:47 am

    Looks amazing!! I am so excited for this week!!

  • Lu
    January 10, 2011 at 12:17 pm

    I love black eyed peas. So yummy. I may have to make this for dinner next week. This weeks dinners are all planned. I think that the addition of kale to this would be awesome.

    • jenna
      January 10, 2011 at 2:55 pm

      mm yeah, kale would be good!

  • claire
    January 10, 2011 at 1:05 pm

    MMMMMMMM…this looks delicious! I may just have to try it…either turkey sausage or shrimp, I think.

    • jenna
      January 10, 2011 at 2:55 pm

      shrimp! Sounds delicious.

  • kate
    January 10, 2011 at 1:11 pm

    I have that exact sausage from Trader Joes. Maybe I should be making a stew this week!

  • foodandfarm
    January 10, 2011 at 1:34 pm

    So glad I have a bunch of these in my freezer!

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin
    January 10, 2011 at 3:40 pm

    Bookmarking this! I’ve been on such a winter soup kick lately.

  • Lindsey
    January 10, 2011 at 3:44 pm

    Yes, TJs sausage is amazing. Too bad I now live in Texas, where they DON’T have TJs. Sigh. I’ll figure something out, because this soup looks amazing!

  • R @ Learning As I Chop
    January 10, 2011 at 6:18 pm

    That first picture is gorgeous. We had black-eyed peas on New Years Day too

  • Liz
    January 10, 2011 at 6:19 pm

    Yum! Funny, I made almost this exact stew the other week. It is similar to a Portuguese Kale Soup, but I made it with the ingredients I had on hand… which happened to be collard and black eyed peas, and I used kielbasa for the sausage. Try it with kale, linguica (Portuguese sausage) and cannellini beans. Yum!!!

    Did you know you can buy frozen black eyed peas (and collard greens) at Wal-Mart (even in New England)? It’s not my go-to grocery store, but they have some really random things.

  • Tasha - The Clean Eating Mama
    January 10, 2011 at 8:37 pm

    I love putting greens into my soups! Adds so much color =)

  • sarah
    January 10, 2011 at 8:59 pm

    Looks quick and warming…perfect for the frigid day we’re having in my town. Love the short ingredient list, too!

  • Kristy
    January 11, 2011 at 4:36 am

    You just gave my lonely bag of black eyed peas a purpose 🙂

  • Nisha
    January 11, 2011 at 4:45 am

    Hi Jenna – do you happen to know if this would freeze okay?

  • Sue
    January 11, 2011 at 5:02 am

    so I made this awesome “savory” recipe. Substituted Wellshire All Natural Andouille Sausage and Kale minus the cayenne – it was way spicey enough for this midwestern family! My husband’s head was sweating! He loved it!! Thanks! Looking forward to more savories!

  • kristen
    January 11, 2011 at 5:30 pm

    I ended up making this for dinner (came across this post just as I was thinking about dinner and it looked perfect). Of course, my grocery store didn’t have collards, so I used chard, and I couldn’t find andouille so I used hot italian sausage, but it was delightful none the less. I loved the vinegar in it. I will definitely make this again! Thanks Jenna!

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    June 18, 2012 at 8:23 pm

    Made the soup for a dinner party tonight! It was delicious! Looking forward to the leftovers.

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