Hot Black-Eyed Pea Dip with Jalapeño (Print)

Creamy, spicy dip with black-eyed peas, jalapeño, and cumin. Perfect for parties and gatherings.

# Ingredients:

→ Legumes

01 - 2 cups cooked black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed

→ Dairy

02 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
03 - 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
04 - 1/2 cup sour cream

→ Vegetables

05 - 1/3 cup diced red onion
06 - 1/3 cup diced red bell pepper
07 - 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and finely diced
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Spices & Seasonings

09 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
10 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Garnish

13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
14 - Sliced jalapeños for serving

# Directions:

01 - Set oven to 375°F and allow to reach temperature.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine black-eyed peas, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, red onion, bell pepper, jalapeños, and garlic.
03 - Add cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper to the mixture. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
04 - Pour the mixture into a lightly greased 1-quart baking dish and spread evenly.
05 - Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the dip is hot and bubbling with a golden top.
06 - Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Top with cilantro and sliced jalapeños.
07 - Transfer to a serving bowl and serve warm with tortilla chips, pita, or fresh vegetables.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's a crowd-pleaser that actually tastes like you put thought into it, when really you just threw everything in a bowl.
  • The heat builds slowly and pleasantly, never aggressive or overpowering.
  • You can have it ready in under 40 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for unexpected guests.
02 -
  • Don't skip draining and rinsing canned beans, as the liquid they come in will make your dip watery and dilute all those carefully balanced flavors.
  • The dip will seem thinner when it's hot, but it firms up slightly as it cools, so trust the process and don't panic if it looks looser than you expected.
03 -
  • If your cream cheese is straight from the fridge, soften it for a few minutes at room temperature so it blends smoothly instead of leaving small lumps throughout the dip.
  • Taste the mixture before baking and remember that the flavors will concentrate slightly as it heats, so err on the side of slightly underseasoned if you're unsure.
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