Power Meal: Laila Ali's Black-Eyed Peas And Sausage
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Four-time undefeated boxing world champion and wellness expert Laila Ali is also a killer cook, and wants everyone to know it! Grab a copy of her cookbook, Food For Life, and get your body on a fitness and nutrition plan fit for the queen of the ring. Black-eyed peas and sausage make for a hearty, protein-packed dish in no time at all.
In the South, black-eyed peas are traditionally served on New Year's Day to bring good luck. Well, I feel fortunate any day that this high-protein side dish makes its way to my dinner table. It's a cinch to make — if you've got frozen or canned beans in the house, you're halfway there, and if you double it up, serve with a grain and a salad, you've got a full spread. Sometimes I'll finish the dish with a poached egg or two: when the dish is done, crack the eggs on top, cover the pan, and poach until the whites are just set.
- 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 large fresh chorizo or other sausage (about 5 ounces)
- 1 small yellow onion
- 1 medium carrot
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup Basic Bone Broth, Very Veggie Broth, or good-quality store-bought broth
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 3/4 cups thawed frozen black-eyed peas, or 1 (15-ounce) can
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
- In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Remove the sausage from its casing and crumble it into the pan.
- Add the onion, carrot, and garlic and cook, stirring often, until the sausage is cooked through and lightly browned and the vegetables are slightly softened. Add the broth and salt and pepper, bright to a simmer, then reduce the heat and cook for about 10 minutes, until the vegetables have softened and the broth has reduced slightly.
- Add the peas and cook for 5 minutes to heat them through and bring the flavors together. Add the vinegar, parsley and thyme. Taste and add more vinegar, salt, and/or pepper if needed.