Black Eyed Pea Pate Recipes

Steps:

• If using dried black-eyed peas, put them in a large pot and cover with about 4 inches of water. Soak the peas overnight, then drain the water and rinse. Alternatively, you can "quick-soak" the peas by bringing them and the water to a boil for 2 minutes. After this, remove them from the heat, cover the pot and soak the peas for 1 hour. Then, drain and rinse the peas.
• Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the pork. Sear until the pork is browned on all sides, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the bacon, onion and garlic to the pot and cook, stirring, until the onion and garlic are lightly browned, about 6 to 8 minutes. Add the salt, black pepper, cayenne and garlic powder. Cook until the entire mixture is coated with the spices, about 2 minutes. Pour in the stock and water and drop in the bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for about 30 minutes.
• When the pork begins to fall apart, add the prepared peas to the pot and simmer until the peas are very soft, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours (see Cook's Note).
• Taste for seasonings, and add some hot-pepper vinegar, if desired. Discard the bay leaves and transfer the black-eyed peas to a serving bowl.

Steps:

• Cook the peas in the broth for 50-55 minutes until soft.
• Drain peas and put into food processor with the next 4 ingredients. Blend until smooth.
• Add the rest of the ingredients and blend well.
• Pour into wax paper lined loaf pan and chill overnight.
• Serve cold with tortilla or bagel chips.
• Variation: (my favorite) Fry the mixture into little patties in vegetable oil and serve with a spicy mango salsa while still warm.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Place 2 tablespoons of olive oil into a large skillet over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and cook until reduced, 8 to 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Drain in a colander placed over a bowl.
• Place remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil into the same skillet. Add the onion and cook until transparent and soft, about 10 minutes. Stir in the chorizo sausage, and cook until evenly browned and cooked through. Mix in the jalapeno pepper, and cook until soft 2 to 4 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Drain, and cool slightly.
• Place the spinach, 1 1/2 cups black-eyed peas, Monterey Jack cheese, 1 egg, heavy cream, and cayenne pepper into the bowl of a food processor. Process until well mixed, but still chunky. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Line a 10 inch pie plate with one half of the pastry, letting excess pastry hang over the edge. Spoon the sausage mixture into the pie shell. Layer with the mushrooms, then the spinach mixture, and black-eyed peas. Cover the filling with the remaining pastry. Fold and crimp the edges to seal top and bottom pastry.
• Whisk the remaining egg together with the water in a small bowl, and use to brush over the top of the pie.
• Bake in preheated oven until top is golden brown, 45 to 60 minutes. Cool at least 15 minutes before serving.