Carolina Caviar ... Redneck Caviar ... or Texas Caviar. Whatever you call it, this simple and healthy dip with black-eyed peas is just plain delicious.
Carolina Caviar is a simple and healthy dip of finely-chopped vegetables mixed with black-eyed peas and a tangy, vinegar-based dressing. In the past, I had always bought this pre-made at the grocery store, but discovered a wonderfully flavorful recipe for making my own at home.
And then I put my home-recipe up for a head-to-head taste test with my former go-to store-bought version.
To whip up the easy homemade version, start by chopping up some sweet bell pepper ... I used a little bit of red and yellow, but you could use orange just as well ... purple onion, and cilantro.
Combine this with canned black-eyed peas, and then toss it with a simple dressing of white wine vinegar and canola oil with some salt, pepper, and a touch of brown sugar.
... and took a bite. (Just one at a time, of course.)
And which do you think won this little battle?
The homemade!
While the store-bought is still good, the homemade blew it away! So, whatever you decide to call it ... Carolina Caviar ... Redneck Caviar ... or Texas Caviar ... this quick, easy, and healthy little snack is absolutely delicious and well worth the effort to make your own.
Check out these other tasty dips & spreads:
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Yield: about 3 cups
Carolina (or Redneck ... or Texas ...) Caviar
Carolina Caviar ... Redneck Caviar ... or Texas Caviar. Whatever you call it, this simple and healthy dip with black-eyed peas is just plain delicious.
prep time: 15 Mcook time: total time: 15 M
ingredients:
Vegetable Mixture:
- 2 (15 oz.) cans black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 of a sweet bell pepper (yellow, red, or orange), finely chopped
- 1/2 of a purple onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 bunch of cilantro, finely chopped
Dressing:
- 1/4 c. white wine vinegar
- 1/4 c. canola oil
- 1/2 tsp. brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
instructions:
How to cook Carolina (or Redneck ... or Texas ...) Caviar
- Combine black-eyed peas, bell pepper, onion, and cilantro in a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together white wine vinegar, oil, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Pour dressing mixture over vegetable mixture and toss to coat.
- This may be served immediately or refrigerated to serve later. If refrigerated, it tastes best if you let it come back to room temperature for serving rather than serving chilled.
- Serve with tortilla chips, crackers, or baguette slices.
TRACEY'S NOTES:
- The vegetables included can be adjusted to personal preference.
- If you don't like cilantro, substitute chopped fresh parsley instead.
- I recommend sticking with white wine vinegar rather that substituting other vinegar, as white wine vinegar just has a really nice subtle flavor. With that said, cider vinegar would probably work just fine.
You might also enjoy these other dip-able treats:
BLT Dip
Easy Fruit Dip {Just 2 ingredients!}
Grape Salsa
3-Ingredient Shrimp Cocktail Dip
Cheesy Hot Broccoli Dip
BLT Dip
Easy Fruit Dip {Just 2 ingredients!}
Grape Salsa
3-Ingredient Shrimp Cocktail Dip
Cheesy Hot Broccoli Dip
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Thanks for linking up your delicious Caviar recipe at our Strut Your Stuff Saturday. It looks yummy! -The Six Sisters
ReplyDeleteI love this stuff, although always known it as Texas Caviar. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHomemade is always better!!! I used lime juice and pepper in mine, no vinegar or oil. There are so many variations ans it's absolutely delicious!
ReplyDeleteVisiting from Flamingo Toes.
ReplyDeleteLove this, thank you for sharing. I live in Wilmington, NC - - where are you?
Hi, Katy! Thanks so much for stopping by! I'm on the other end of the state in Gastonia ... just west of Charlotte.
DeleteThis looks delicious! Pinning it now. I'm from Online Blog Con (and a fellow NC blogger).
ReplyDeleteYay! I've been looking for a recipe like the one at Lowes foods in Charlotte (used to live there) Will try!! Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteI love to make these kinds of dishes for picnics because they fit into so many diets. I will try your suggestion to add olive, I love olives! Pinned! Visiting from What's Cookin Wednesday!
ReplyDeleteSo colorful! And I'm not surprised that your homemade beat the store bought. :) Looks yummy.
ReplyDeleteLeslie:
ReplyDeleteThis is a tasty easy recipe. My favorite kind! Thank you for sharing it with us.