New Year's Day black-eyed peas recipe for good luck

Ingredients for New Year's Day black-eyed peas

• 30 ml extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling

• 115 g streaky bacon, cut into 1.25 cm pieces (optional)

• 1 medium onion, finely chopped

• 5 sprigs thyme, plus leaves for serving

• 4 garlic cloves, smashed

• 480 g black-eyed peas, soaked overnight, drained

• kosher salt

• freshly ground pepper

How to make New Year's Day black-eyed peas

1. Heat 30 ml of oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.

2. Add the bacon, if using, and cook, stirring occasionally, until some of the fat begins to collect in the pan and the bacon starts to look shiny, about 5 minutes.

3. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and tender, about 5 minutes.

4. Add the thyme sprigs, garlic, black-eyed peas, and 2 litres of cold water, then bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.

5. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer gently, skimming any foam from the surface, until the beans are tender, 35–45 minutes.

6. Discard the thyme sprigs and season the mixture with salt.

7. To serve, drizzle the beans with a little oil and top with thyme leaves and a sprinkle of pepper.

8. Cool any leftover beans, then cover and chill. They can be prepared up to 3 days in advance.

Disclaimer
While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.