SPICY BLACK-EYED-PEA RELISH

Spicy Black-Eyed-Pea Relish image

Provided by Tyler Florence

Time 1h20m

Yield 6-8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

3 cups dried black-eyed peas
2 slices thick-cut bacon
1/4 bunch fresh thyme
2 tomatoes, quartered
5 dried red chile peppers
5 cloves garlic
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish
4 scallions, chopped
Juice of 1 lemon
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling

Steps:

Combine the dried peas, bacon, thyme, tomatoes, chiles and garlic in a large pot. Season with salt and pepper and pour the chicken broth over top. Simmer over medium-low heat until the peas are tender, about 1 hour.
Drain the peas, reserving the cooking liquid. Discard the thyme and chiles. Remove the bacon, tomatoes and garlic from the cooked peas and set aside. Cut up the bacon and fold it back into the peas along with the cilantro, scallions and lemon juice.
Puree the cooking liquid with the tomatoes and garlic in a blender. Dress the peas with the puree and give it a final seasoning with salt and pepper, if necessary. Top with cilantro and a drizzle of olive oil.