Black-eyed Peas With Caramelized Onion And Country Ham

Total Time: 45 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 3 (15 7/8 ounce) cans black-eyed peas
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large purple onion, diced
• 1/4 lb country ham, diced
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons thyme (fresh, chopped) or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
• fresh thyme sprig, garnish (optional)

Recipe

• 1 combine first 3 ingredients in a 2-quart saucepan; bring to a boil. cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes; drain. discard bay leaf. return peas to pan; cover and set aside.
• 2 meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. add onion; cook 5 minutes or until golden, stirring often.
• 3 reduce heat; add ham, and cook 10 additional minutes or until ham is crisp and onion is well browned.
• 4 stir in vinegar, chopped thyme, and pepper; bring to a boil.
• 5 cook, stirring occasionally to loosen any caramelized bits from bottom of pan, 5 minutes or until mixture is a thin syrup.
• 6 pour over peas; toss well. garnish, if desired.