INSTANT POT: Black-Eyed Pea Soup with Ham FROM THE PANTRY

While Black-Eyed Peas are among the quickest of the dried beans and peas to cook on the stovetop, using the Instant Pot makes them even faster and allows you to do whatever you’d like in the time they cook—no need to watch and stir. Keeping a canned ham such as DAK in the cupboard makes this an easy pantry meal. A smoked ham hock or shank can be subbed for the ham (at end, remove from pot, let cool, cut off meat and return only meat to the pot), as can chopped kielbasa or even diced bacon.

6-8 servings

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Beans, Black-eyed Peas, Instant Pot

Author: More Time at the Table/Alyce Morgan

Equipment

ELECTRIC PRESSURE COOKER (INSTANT POT)

Ingredients

1 EACH: medium yellow onion, medium unpeeled carrot, medium unpeeled parsnip --or 1/2 cup chopped frozen onion and 1 cup frozen chopped carrots
2 stalks celery -- or 1/2 cup chopped frozen celery
2 cloves garlic or 1/4 teaspoon powdered garlic
Handful fresh parsley, optional
1- pound dry black-eyed peas-rinsed and sorted
32 ounces 4 cups EACH: low sodium chicken broth and water or 8 cups water
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 ⁄2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
2 shakes hot sauce or to taste
1 teaspoon EACH: dried thyme and oregano
1 bay leaf
1 cup diced smoked ham
Thinly sliced green onions--optional garnish

Instructions

Add the chopped vegetables and the remaining ingredients (except green onion garnish) to the pot and stir. Secure lid on the pot. Close pressure release valve.
Select MANUAL and cook at high pressure for 30 minutes. Use a natural release to depressurize. Stir; taste and adjust seasonings. Serve hot in warmed bowls with a tablespoon of the sliced green onions for garnish, if available. When done serving, press CANCEL.

Notes

If using all water instead of a combination of broth and water, increase the salt and herbs just a bit to taste.

No Instant Pot? Follow the general directions here for a stovetop version:

https://moretimeatthetable.com/2017/12/27/black-eyed-pea-soup-with-country-sausage-and-cabbage-for-new-years-day/#more-13994