One of my first posts here at Dixie Caviar was obviously the recipe for its namesake. The blog (and the recipe) has come a long way since those humble beginnings, so it seemed time to give the original post a fresh new look. Here it is again, folks, Dixie Caviar in all its Southern glory. Four years later and it continues to please...
(The excerpt below is taken from the '09 recipe archives.)
"So what the heck is Dixie Caviar?"
Yes, I get that one a lot. And no, Dixie Caviar is not some fluffy-sounding name that conceals an otherwise nasty animal product—trust me, it is no rocky mountain oysters. Dixie Caviar is actually a crazy-easy, crazy-addictive appetizer made famous here in the South. (Southerners have an amazing ability to "fancify" anything we get our hands on, canned black-eyed peas included.) You may have heard it called Texas, or Cowboy, Caviar; either way, it's delicious no matter the name.
Dixie Caviar was introduced to me by my boyfriend fiance's sweet mother Tina the very first time we met. I was hooked after just one bite; it may be simple but damn it sure does pack a flavor punch. (It's no wonder that it's her signature appetizer.) Tina sent me back to Los Angeles with the recipe in tow, and it has definitely earned its fair share of sky miles. No future barbecue or birthday party shall ever be without it again!
Little did I know that it would one day inspire the very title of this blog. Talk about an Aha! moment—Dixie Caviar was the first name to come to mind, and it was the last. (Why keep looking when you've already found perfection?) Of course I love the appetizer, but more importantly the name perfectly represents my style in the kitchen: little bit country, a little bit 'Cal. It's a double whammy, for sure.
Yields: 3 cups
Dixie Caviar is the perfect dip for outdoor parties and tailgates because it keeps forever and you don't have to worry about it going bad. The best part? There's never any left! Use this recipe as a "kitchen sink"—I don't think I've ever made the same batch twice. I've used black beans, canned pimentos, scallions, shallots, and more. Throw in whatever you have on hand!I've tried to gussy it up before with homemade Italian dressing, but it's just not as good. Suck it up and buy a bottle.
1 can black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
1 cup fresh or frozen yellow corn (thawed if frozen)
1 small red onion or 2 large shallots
1 small red bell pepper, diced small
1 small green bell pepper, diced small
3/4 cup Italian salad dressing (I use Kraft Zesty Italian)
Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl. Chill for an hour before serving to let the flavors combine. Serve with Lay's Classic potato chips or tortilla chips.
It's "Soup Week" at The Kitchn, and I can't think of a better way to welcome in the New Year than with this