Black Eyed Peas w/Ham and Cornbread!! wooo hoo

This is a southern supper folks!!!  Not one of Janie's but mine and Southern Livings  :0)

BE Peas
16 oz package dried black eyed peas
4 cups water (plus additional as needed)
1 medium onion (chopped)
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3/4 teaspoon salt
ham, ham cubes, ham hock....whatever you feel
Jalepeno peppers  ( really...cut the seeds if you don't want heat but this adds the perfect kick to the peas)

Peas and ham ready for their friends!!

Add your spices and chop up that onion and jalepeno

if you do not have one of these from Pampered Chef...you are working way too hard!! Check it...

Less than 1 minute to do and then do the jalepeno

We like ours a little spicy so I left the seeds

Now throw everything in the pot!

Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer for at least an hour or until peas are tender. Not gonnna lie...I usually cook mine around 4 hours at least.  Hard peas=gross!

When those peas are ready it's time for the cornbread!

DO NOT FAINT--- the bacon grease has returned! 

Add about 2 Tbsp bacon grease, crisco, veg. oil to the iron skillet  (the bacon grease is really worth it!) Put this in the oven and let the oven be preheating to 450 degrees.  The grease is going to get really hot so be careful

Now in a bowl mix your dry ingredients:

1 cup cornmeal

1 Tbsp AP flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

Combine those in bowl and mix with wisk then make a well in the center.  In another bowl- mix together 1 egg and 1 cup buttermilk.  Pour into center of dry ingredients and mix until moistened.  Then carefully pour into hot skillet!!

Now put that back in the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown... Like this!

Now put it all together like this and call the troops to the table!!

sooo good you will slap yo' mamma! 

Peace, love and yummies folks!