Cowboy Caviar

The Christmas season and the year might be drawing to a close, but that doesn’t mean that the season of food traditions is ending. Quite the opposite, in fact, because we’ve got one final holiday to celebrate with a culinary bang: New Year’s Eve! For a great part of the United States, that means that black-eyed peas – sign of humility and good fortune – will be appearing on party-goers’ plates, and we’ve got just the dish to serve it up in style: Cowboy Caviar!

Yes, Cowboy Caviar, but don’t worry— this version of “caviar” bears little resemblance to that other, more fishy champagne-accompaniment. Instead, it’s packed full of those lucky, humble black-eyed peas and tons of other tasty veggies for an appetizer that’s as flavorful as it is healthy. Frankly, we much prefer eating this with our champagne at our New Year’s Eve parties— and with beer, wine, soda and other party beverages!

We know you and your guests will love it, too, so watch how easy it is to make, then read on for the super-simple directions for the best New Year’s dish yet!

Ingredients

• 3 cups seeded and diced Roma tomatoes (about 1 pound Roma tomatoes)
• 1 – 15-ounce can corn kernels, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup seeded and diced bell pepper, any color (about 1 medium pepper)
• ¾ cup red onion or shallot, small diced
• 1 – 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 – 15-ounce can black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)
• ¾ cup chopped cilantro (about ½ bunch fresh cilantro)
• 1 to 2 avocados, sliced (optional)

DRESSING

• ⅓ cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 clove garlic, pressed or minced
• 1 to 2 teaspoons salt, or to taste
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste

Directions

1. In a large bowl, add the diced tomatoes, corn kernels, diced bell pepper, diced red onion, black beans, black-eyed peas, and minced jalapeño. Stir to combine.
2. In a small bowl, add the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lime juice, honey, cumin, minced garlic, salt and black pepper. Whisk the dressing ingredients together until well-combined.
3. Pour the dressing into the large bowl over the veggies. Add the cilantro, and stir to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning, if needed.
4. over and chill for at least 1 hour, or overnight to blend flavors.
5. Serve chilled or at room temperature, with sliced avocado or corn chips, as desired.

Chef’s Tip

If including the avocado, wait to slice until ready to serve, so it does not turn brown in the meantime.

See how simple and delicious this Cowboy Caviar is? It’s a great way to serve up some vegetables, end this year on a good note, and start off the New Year on a healthier foot while also making things feel festive and special. And let’s be honest— it’s a lot more appetizing than traditional caviar, now isn’t it?!

So what do YOU think of our “Cowboy Caviar”? Have you ever enjoyed anything similar? Do you like regular caviar, too? Are you planning on eating some black-eyed peas for New Year’s, or do you have any other food traditions for the end of one year and the beginning of another? Tell us if you give this dish a try and let us know how your New Year’s celebrations go!

More Deliciouse Recipe Cowboy Caviar @ tiphero.com