Black eyed peas and black beans, known as cowboy caviar, is the perfect starter for taco night!

I once wrote on instagram that bread and water with people is better than a feast alone. People feed our soul just as much as food feeds our body.

At that time I invited a new couple from church to dinner to start the new year and to make a genuine connection. The man now comes to my husband’s men’s group and it’s been a very important relationship of support for both of them.

The New Testament reminds us that the second commandment is to love others as ourselves. If we live on-line, if we never have people into our home, if we never serve people, we aren’t doing that.

It’s funny, because on another New Year’s day, I went to a new church and met a lady named Chris, who invited me to the church’s faith sharing group for women before I even entered as we met at the door.

It’s a book club for Catholic women and that first book on the cardinal virtues was life changing. I had forgotten how important a focus on these virtues is, prudence, temperance, fortitude and justice.

A Great Book to Embrace in the New Year

The Art of Living: Cardinal Virtues and the Freedom to Love by Edward Sri is a fantastic manual for connecting and living righteously and I highly recommend it.

That was in 2023 and several books later, I’m still part of the group. A handful of us go to lunch afterward and that’s where the relationships really take place. I often wonder about the ladies that have never joined us for lunch, because it’s at those lunches that I’ve learned their stories and truly have felt their love.

Maybe a goal for 2025 is fostering friendships. Start with some new year’s traditions.

New Year’s Food Traditions

• There are many food traditions for the new year all around the world. Here are a few:
• Pork: eaten as pigs root forward. 
• Black Eyed Peas: peas for pennies (prosperity). 
• Greens for Prosperity
• Cornbread for Gold 

Growing up in Pennsylvania, we always had pork and sauerkraut, as cabbage is considered one of the good luck foods. Here in the south, it’s all about the black eyed peas, greens and cornbread. 

 I decided to make carnitas (pork) with corn tortillas and our guests brought a delicious cabbage slaw.  Black eyed peas cowboy caviar was the perfect starter. We were covered with all the good luck foods in a non-traditional way. 

This dinner was so good that I think it will be our new year’s tradition from now on. 

What is Cowboy Caviar?

Typically cowboy caviar, also known as Texas caviar (sometimes Tennessee caviar) is a mixture of beans (maybe corn) onion, jalapeño, cilantro, oil, vinegar and meant to be eaten with tortilla chips as a dip. 

There are a hundred ways to make it and I chose to use black eyed peas and black beans. I skipped the corn because it’s winter and the only time I want to add corn is when I can grill it and cut it off the cob. Honestly, it’s not necessary, as we all thought this version cowboy caviar was just right. The four of us ate almost the entire bowl. 

Ingredients for Black Eyed Peas Cowboy Caviar

The main ingredients are black beans, black eyed peas, pickled red onion,  cilantro, lime juice. I added in a mixture of brightly colored bell peppers, because I just happened to have them left over from this pizza recipe. Avocado is an option and should be added right before serving. Salt is a must and you will need to taste for seasoning before serving. 

The secret to the brightness and flavor in the dip the pickled red onion and jalapenos. I am not a raw onion fan, but I do like pickled onion and thought that acid will give these beans what they need. I was right.

Pickled Red Onion in 30 minutes. 

I found a recipe from the Kitchn that was pretty easy to use.

• Slice red onion in half moons. Place in colander. 
• Pour two cups of boiling water over the onions. 
• Pour a cup of vinegar into jar. I used half cider vinegar, half balsamic.
• Add peppercorns, seasonings and a teaspoon of sugar. 
• Add onion. 
• Ready in 30 minutes. 

Make the pickled onion the night before so the flavors meld. The beans will not get mushy and will be absolutely delicious. I didn’t add any seasonings to the vinegar.

Tips for Black Eyed Peas Cowboy Caviar

• Make sure to rinse the beans in cold water to remove the sodium. 
• Make a day ahead for full flavor profile. 
• If you don’t use pickled onion, you will need to add vinegar to bring acid to the dish.
• Salt liberally. 
• Add avocado right before serving.

Playing around, in the summer, add some chopped tomato and grilled corn (off the cob).