Black-Eyed Pea and Vegetable Soup

Photo: flickr user startcooking kathy & amandine

Ingredients

6 ounces dried black-eyed peas

1 tablespoon olive oil or sunflower oil

2 mediums onions finely diced

1 garlic clove crushed

2 mediums carrots peeled & finely

diced

1 medium green bell pepper finely diced

2 lrg zucchini sliced

6 cups vegetable stock

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Freshly chopped parsley to garnish

Preparation

Soak the beans overnight in enough cold water to cover. Drain. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft. Add the garlic, carrots, bell pepper and zucchini and cook 2 minutes. Add the stock and drained beans. Boil 10 minutes. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 50 minutes until the beans are tender. Season with salt and pepper and serve sprinkled with chopped parsley.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Description: "The black-eyed peas are an attractive addition, with their creamy color and small black "eye. "They add a creamy flavor, too. Remember to soak the dried beans before starting this recipe."

NOTES : If you don't have time to soak legumes overnight, you can use the Quick soak method. Cover the legumes with plenty of boiling rather than cold water and soak only 2 to 3 hours, or bring the legumes slowly to a boil in a large pan of water. Simmer 5 minutes, cover, turn off the heat, and soak only I hour.