Black Eyed Pea Soup, A lucky way to start the New Year!

Black Eyed Pea Soup

  This made a delicious New Years Day lunch and it doesn't hurt that southern tradition says eating black eyed peas on News Years day will bring good luck!  This recipe is modified from a slow cooker recipe I found on Foodgawker.com by Steve Wilson/DFW.com. I forgot to buy dry black eyed peas in advance so I didn't have time to use the slow cooker.  I bought canned black eyed peas and used some other ingredients I had on hand. 

Black Eyed Pea Soup

4 slices thick sliced bacon cut into 1/2" squares

1 shallot, minced

2 cloves garlic minced

1/4 jalapeno, seeded and minced

1/4 red chili pepper, seeded and minced

1 bunch collard greens cut into 2" squares

2 chicken sausages sliced thin

4 cans black eyed peas

3 cups chicken broth

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp chili powder

generous sprinkle of cracked black pepper

Directions

In a large soup pot over medium heat, cook the bacon until brown and crunchy on the edges.  Add the shallot, garlic and peppers and cook, stirring frequently,  until the onion is translucent. Add the chicken sausage and continue cooking until sausage is browning.  Add the collard greens to the meat and vegetables and mix until greens are coated with bacon grease.  Add the black eyed peas, chicken broth and spices, bring to a boil, lower heat to low and simmer for 1 hour.  Eat with crusty bread. Easily serves 4-6 people and cost about $12 to make the whole pot!  Delicious!