A Southern Grace: luck be a legume

February 6, 2018

luck be a legume

Yum

Black-eyed pea and ham soup. Boy, am I on a slow cooker soup kick! There's just something so appealing about taking care of supper before everyone else gets up in the morning.


It doesn't hurt that it provides a nourishing and soul-satisfying dinner (with lots of leftovers to boot!). I actually made this on New Year's Day, since it's well known in these parts that black-eyed peas have a magical power to bring luck throughout the year.


It was a great soup--though there was no ham hock involved, there was plenty of leftover ham, lots of veggies (including kale!), and a generous amount of herbs.

Magic beans or not, I'm already the luckiest lady in the world.


Lucky Legume Soup
(printable recipe)
Serves 6-8
Ingredients:
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 1 cup chopped ham
  • 8 cups chicken broth
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
  • 4 cups chopped kale
Directions:
To the bowl of your slow cooker, add the onions, carrots, celery, ham, chicken broth, bay leaves, and spices.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Add the black-eyed peas and kale and cook for 30 minutes to an hour more.
Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 2½-3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the peas and ham hock are very tender.
Remove the bay leaves and serve.

14 comments:

Angie's Recipes said...

o your daughter looks soooooooooooo adorable. Just love her smile :-)) The soup looks wonderfully comforting, warming and delicious...just what I need in this snowy Tuesday!

Gloria Baker said...

looks really good!

Velva said...

Grew up watching pots of beans and to this day still enjoy placing a pot of goodness on the stove. Your HappyNew Year, Good Luck soup is really nice. Its a good healthy twist on a classic. Really like it! And your daughter is precious! I know you are head over heels in love with her.

Velva

Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies said...

So sweet!!
With my new job and more work hours, I keep meaning to use the slow cooker more often. This is the inspiration I need!

Unknown said...

The soup sounds delicious...have never used kale in soup. ( A first time for everything). Your precious daughter is absolutely adorable. So happy for you.

Gingi said...

Oh wow, talk about healthy comfort foods! This looks so frikkin yummy!!!! - http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com

Agness of Run Agness Run said...

Yum! Such a delightful soup recipe, Grace! I rarely use legumes and I should definitely include them more in my diet!

Inger @ Art of Natural Living said...

Oh, I'm missing not having local beans!

Looks like you had a wonderful Christmas. One of my best memories was when my middle daughter was perhaps 3. When she saw the Christmas tree, she kept running her fingers along the needles (we get white pines, so they are soft) softly repeating, "I remember this." Yes, you have so much fun ahead!

Emma - Bake Then Eat said...

There is something so awesome about having all your dinner prep done in the morning. Yeah for the slow cooker!

Marcelle said...

This soup is a perfect recipe for my family. Flavors we all love and I can't wait to make it...in the crockpot!! Grace, that is the sweetest picture of you and baby Eva! That smocked dress is so cute :)

All That I'm Eating said...

What a cutie! This soup sounds so good!

Pam said...

You are nearly as lucky as me! ;-) She is a beauty and always looks so happy. Yay.

The soup looks comforting and delicious. Slow cooker meals are so handy!

Food Gal said...

Your daughter is all smiles! Who wouldn't be with a mom who can cook such nourishing and comforting meals. ;)

Natalie @ Obsessive Cooking Disorder said...

oh my gosh, I need to learn how to use my slow cooker!