In the realm of Southern cuisine, few dishes evoke a sense of comfort and nostalgia quite like purple hull peas and mustard greens cooked in a smoky potlikker. This classic combination of humble ingredients has been a staple in kitchens across the region for generations, passed down from one cook to the next. Whether served as a side dish or enjoyed as a main course, the smoky, savory flavors of the potlikker, infused with the earthy sweetness of the peas and the slightly bitter tang of the mustard greens, create a symphony of flavors that is both satisfying and profoundly heartwarming.
Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!
PURPLE HULL PEAS AND MUSTARD GREENS IN SMOKY POTLIKKER
Southern field peas come in seemingly endless varieties, the most well known of which are black-eyed peas. For this dish, it's worth seeking out their sister, the pink-eyed purple hull pea that April McGreger, who makes Farmer's Daughter brand pickles and preserves Hillsborough, N.C., knew growing up. They are sold fresh in late spring through the early fall in the South, but can be found frozen. Black-eyed peas will do just fine, though. This is a bold and brothy soup with plenty of what Southerners call potlikker, flavored with ham hocks for traditionalists or smoked turkey parts for a lighter version. It is essential to serve this dish with sturdy cornbread to soak up the potlikker. Ms. McGreger likes thin and crispy cornbread.
Provided by Kim Severson
Categories main course, side dish
Time 3h
Yield 6 to 8 servings, about 12 cups
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Over medium heat, warm the oil in a large Dutch oven or other soup pot. Add the onion and celery and cook for 5 minutes, or until soft. Don't let the vegetables brown. Stir in the garlic and cook another minute. Stir in the chile, bay leaves, thyme and allspice.
- If using ham hocks, add them along with 10 cups of water, bring to a boil and skim off any foam. Partly cover the pot with a lid and simmer for 2 hours. If using smoked turkey wings or legs, add 9 cups of water, bring to a boil and skim off any foam. Partly cover with lid and simmer for one hour.
- Stir in the peas, partly cover the pot with the lid and simmer until the peas are tender. This will take about 20 minutes for fresh or frozen peas or as long as 1 1/2 hours for peas that were dried and soaked.
- While the beans cook, wash the mustard greens in several changes of water. Taste a leaf to be certain they are not gritty. Tear the greens into bite-size pieces and discard the tough middle stem. Alternately, pre-cut, bagged mustard greens can be used.
- Remove the hocks or wings to a platter and cool. Take the meat off the bone, chop and add to the pot. Discard any skin and connective tissue.
- Add the shredded mustard greens and tomatoes to the pot and simmer just until the greens are wilted, or about 10 minutes. Stir in the vinegar, sugar, salt, black pepper and green onions. Taste and adjust seasoning. Ladle into warm, shallow bowls and scatter a few celery leaves on top. Serve with cornbread and pass pepper vinegar or hot sauce at the table.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 134, UnsaturatedFat 4 grams, Carbohydrate 20 grams, Fat 4 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 6 grams, SaturatedFat 0 grams, Sodium 367 milligrams, Sugar 9 grams, TransFat 0 grams
MOM'S PURPLE-HULL PEAS
A wonderful side-dish for any southern-style-meal. Goes great with cornbread and fried pork chops!
Provided by SAMARTHUR
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Green Peas
Time 2h10m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Place the purple hull peas into a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, add okra if using and boil for 2 minutes, stirring twice. Reduce heat to medium-low, add the bacon, sugar, baking soda, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer until tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 193.9 calories, Carbohydrate 20.3 g, Cholesterol 12.9 mg, Fat 9.2 g, Fiber 5 g, Protein 8.3 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Sodium 526.3 mg, Sugar 2.5 g
POTLIKKER NOODLES WITH MUSTARD GREENS
Just as Italians save their pasta cooking water to enrich their sauces, Southerners serve the smoky cooking liquid, a.k.a. potlikker, along with braised greens. This dish marries both traditions. Season with a light hand, as the broth will become saltier as it reduces.
Provided by Jason Alley
Categories Pasta Dinner Ham Winter Mustard Greens Bon Appétit Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free
Yield Makes 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add ham hock and cook, turning occasionally, until browned, about 8 minutes. Reduce heat to medium. Add onion, garlic, and bay leaves; cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Add vinegar and stir, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in hot sauce and sugar. Add broth and reserved mustard green stems and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until liquid is reduced to 2 cups, 1-2 hours. Set a sieve over a large bowl or measuring cup. Strain potlikker into bowl. Pick and reserve the meat from the ham hock to add to the noodles later, if desired. Discard skin, bone, and remaining solids in sieve. Set potlikker aside. DO AHEAD: Potlikker and ham can be made 2 days ahead. Chill separately until cold; cover and keep chilled.
- Cook noodles in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, heat a large pot over medium heat. Add bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until crispy. Add shallots and reserved picked meat, if using; cook, stirring occasionally, until shallots are soft, 4-5 minutes. Pour off any excess fat in pan. Increase heat to medium-high; add greens and cook, stirring constantly, until wilted. Add potlikker, scraping up browned bits with a wooden spoon, and bring to a boil. Add noodles; toss to coat, and heat through. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Transfer noodle mixture to serving bowls and sprinkle with Pecorino.
BROOKLYN-STYLE COLLARD GREENS
Provided by Kim Severson
Categories easy, side dish
Time 1h
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Place turkey wing or hocks in a very large pot and add just enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, turn heat to medium and simmer until water is reduced by about half.
- Meanwhile, plunge greens into a sink full of lightly salted cold water, drain and then rinse well with cold fresh water. Trim or remove biggest stems. Place five or six leaves on top of one another and roll like a cigar, lengthwise. Cut collards into inch-wide ribbons, then, keeping collards rolled, cut ribbons in half.
- Turn heat under pot to high. Add vinegar, one teaspoon salt and the garlic, then add as many greens as pot will hold. Wait until greens cook down, then add remaining greens. Turn heat to a simmer, cover and cook until greens for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add sugar, onion and crushed red pepper, cover again and continue to simmer until tender, another 15 to 30 minutes; time will vary depending on toughness of greens. Serve.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 152, UnsaturatedFat 2 grams, Carbohydrate 19 grams, Fat 5 grams, Fiber 12 grams, Protein 14 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 823 milligrams, Sugar 2 grams
Tips:
- For the best flavor, use fresh, young purple hull peas and mustard greens. If you can't find fresh peas, you can use frozen or canned peas, but they won't be as flavorful.
- Soak the peas for at least 4 hours before cooking. This will help them to cook more evenly.
- Use a large pot for cooking the peas and greens. This will give them plenty of room to cook and prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Season the peas and greens with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste. You can also add other seasonings, such as smoked paprika or cayenne pepper, if you like.
- Cook the peas and greens for about 30 minutes, or until the peas are tender and the greens are wilted.
- Serve the peas and greens with cornbread, rice, or your favorite side dish.
Conclusion:
Purple hull peas and mustard greens are a delicious and nutritious Southern dish. They're easy to make and can be served with a variety of side dishes. Whether you're a fan of Southern cooking or just looking for a new and flavorful dish to try, purple hull peas and mustard greens are sure to please.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »