So I was given this recipe about 5 years ago by The Friend in Virginia, who's a fiesty Southern Woman. She's tiny, but she's a force to be reckoned with. And she is the mother of Presidents.

And we have this ongoing joke concerning Black-Eyed Peas and Triscuits because once (just once) I got got caught by unexpected house guests and my pantry was low and the only products I had on hand that were fit to eat were a couple of cans of Black-Eyed Peas and a box of Triscuits.

So whenever I make this dish, I think of her. (I don't think this is the exact recipe she gave me, I've made it my own over the years. But the basic principle is the same.)

Texas Caviar

1 (15.8-ounce) can black-eyed peas, drained
1 chopped and seeded tomato
About 4 or 5 thinly sliced green onions
Chopped Cilantro - about 1/2 bunch.
1 diced and seeded jalapeno (or more if you like the heat)
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 minced garlic cloves
Ground cumin to taste - about 1/2 tsp. to start
Salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

I also like to add chopped roasted red peppers if I have them on hand and a good squeeze or two of lime. Chopped green peppers are a great addition, too.

Let this marinate in the refrigerate a few hours before serving.

Serve these with good blue corn tortilla chips - or a better choice would be The Triscuit.

Print This Recipe

I always wondered where the "Black Eyed Peas and Triscuits" reference came from. Might have to try this one sometime!

Posted by: HomefrontSix at February 10, 2005 05:54 PM

Helen Corbitt, who was head caterer at Neiman-Marcus back in the day (40-50 years ago) and published several cookbooks, has a similar recipe. Hers calls for much more oil though, and no tomato or cumin. Yours sounds mighty good.

Posted by: Dr Alice at February 12, 2005 07:59 PM

And all this time I just called it Black Eye Pea Salad. Texas Caviar sounds so much cooler. In a rush I'll use Italian Dressing. I'm usually in rush as the name implies.

Posted by: daddyquatro at February 15, 2005 01:51 PM

Not only am I flattered to be mentioned, I am now craving some Texas Caviar. The ultimate tiny-yet-fiesty one (my mom) is here, and she made a fresh pot of black-eyed peas yesterday. I think I have found a use for the leftovers! :)

Posted by: Michelle at February 19, 2005 06:19 PM