Spicy Black-Eyed Pea Soup with Bacon

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound of bacon, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 jalapeno peppers, diced
• 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
• 1 pound of dried black-eyed peas, rinsed and picked over
• 6 cups of chicken stock or vegetable stock
• 1/2 cup of fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish

Directions

1. In a large pot over medium-high heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pot and set aside.
2. Add the onion, garlic, and jalapeno peppers to the pot. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the smoked paprika, cumin, coriander, pepper, and cayenne pepper to the pot and stir to combine. Cook for 1 minute.
4. Add the black-eyed peas and chicken stock to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 25 minutes, or until the peas are tender.
5. Add the cooked bacon back to the pot and stir to combine. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
6. Serve the soup garnished with fresh cilantro.

Interesting Facts

• Black-eyed peas are a type of legume that are popular in the southern United States.
• The smoky flavor of the bacon goes well with the spicy flavors of the soup.
• This soup is a great way to use up any leftover bacon you might have.