Tarry Health Fitness, Weight Loss, Workouts and Healthy Eating
Black-eyed peas are thought to be a lucky new year food in the South, and I’ve always enjoyed cooking with them at this time of year, as late December gives way to January. In the past few years, though, I’ve branched out and started to rely on them as an everyday staple legume. I love their subtly nutty flavor and aroma (I especially love using them in this dish, which includes the slightly surprising addition of peanut butter).
This easy side dish of vegan dirty rice & black-eyed peas happens to have come together right before New Year’s Eve, but I have a feeling I’ll be making it year round. It’s a flavorful, fast, and versatile base for simple dinners, burritos, and more. When I made it a few days ago, I served it with steamed collards, which are another good luck food in the Southern tradition. But I’m keen to try it with other greens, steamed or braised, and tonight I plan to top the leftovers with some of my vegan chick’n style soy curls.
Traditional dirty rice, from what I understand, usually starts with bacon or pork and includes celery, onion, green pepper, and cajun spices (paprika, thyme, pepper). I’m not sure how authentic this version is, but I tried to channel all of those flavors, and I used vegan bacon to add smoky flavor and flecks of texture throughout the rice. My favorite vegan bacon right now is Sweet Earth’s, but you could use a homemade tempeh bacon, eggplant bacon, coconut bacon, or a brand name that you love.
White rice is standard in the dish, but either white or brown long grain rice will work nicely in the dish. You’ll simply need to set aside a bit of extra cooking time if you choose brown instead of white. Vegan chicken style bouillon is a nice addition for saltiness, and I keep cubes in my pantry for when I don’t have stock on hand (also, to make those chick’n style soy curls). If you don’t have it, simply omit it from the recipe, adding salt in its place: the other seasonings add plenty of flavor as it is.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon neutral vegetable oil such as refined avocado or grapeseed*
- 1 large onion chopped
- 2 stalks celery chopped
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 4 strips vegan bacon of choice chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup long-grain white or brown rice
- 2 3/4 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt or 1/2 vegan chicken style bouillon cube
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Crushed red pepper flakes to taste
- 1 1/2 cups cooked black-eyed peas or 1 can, drained and rinsed
- Steamed greens or other vegetables/accompaniments for serving
Instructions
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Heat the oil in a roomy, deep skillet or medium pot over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, pepper, and bacon. Saute for 5 minutes, or until the onion is soft. Add the garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until the garlic is fragrant, stirring constantly. If the mixture starts to stick, add a few tablespoons of water along the way.
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Add the rice, water, both paprikas, thyme, salt or bouillon, and both peppers to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes (white rice) or 30-40 minutes (brown rice), or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed. Remove the rice from heat and allow it to steam, covered, for 5 minutes. Stir in the black-eyed peas, then taste the rice and adjust the salt and pepper as desired. Serve with steamed greens and other accompaniments of choice.
Notes
Yum—I love all of the smoky flavor here! If you’re near the end of a batch of leftovers, you could try using the last of the rice and peas in a stir fry, adding whatever vegetables you’re keen to use up as well. That’s likely what I’ll be up to tomorrow and on Sunday, as 2018 rolls in.
I’ll be back around in a couple of days for weekend reading, but if I don’t catch you then, I’m sending out warm and loving wishes now for a fulfilling, healthful, and peaceful new year. See you soon.
