Black-Eyed Peas with Ham Hock

Serves 4 in about 52 minutes. A pressure cooker recipe built around celery ribs and bacon.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 celery ribs (stalks), diced
• 1 bell pepper, red or green
• 2 small bay leaves
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme, or 1/2 tsp dried
• 3 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp coarse salt, or 3/4 tsp table salt
• 4 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
• 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and diced small
• 3 ½ cups chicken broth, low sodium
• 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
• 1-2 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 small ham hock (or meaty ham bone)
• 1 ¼ cups black-eyed peas, dry*
• 2 cups collard greens, (optional) chopped in 2" pieces

Method

1. Turn the pressure cooker on to the Sauté function. When the display reads Hot, add the oil.
2. Stir in the onion, celery, and bell pepper, and bay leaves. Cook, while stirring now and then, until the onion starts to turn translucent.
3. Tip in the thyme, smoked paprika, pepper, and salt. Stir.
4. Stir in the garlic and jalapeño. Simmer for about 30 seconds, while stirring often.
5. Stir in the broth, balsamic vinegar, bacon, and ham hock.
6. Mix in the black-eyed peas, and collard greens, if using.
7. Set the lid on the pressure cooker, locking it in place. Set the steam release knob to the Sealing position. Cancel the Sauté function.
8. Press the Pressure Cook/Manual button (or dial) and use the + or - button (or dial) to select 17 minutes (for firmer beans choose 14 minutes). High Pressure.
9. When the cooking cycle has ended and the pot beeps, let it sit undisturbed for 15 minutes (15 instant Natural Release), then turn the steam release knob to the Venting position to release the remaining steam/pressure.
10. When the pin in the lid drops down, open it and give the contents a stir. Discard bay leaves and ham hock (the ham hock won't be tender, it is for flavor, but if you can get some meat off of it, add it to the pot!).
11. Plate over rice for a Hoppin' John, or as is. Enjoy with cornbread to sop up that yummy broth! Happy New Year! Or, any time of year!

More instant pot ideas are in the instant pot collection.