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.

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I've heard this dip-able concoction called various different names, including Carolina Caviar, Texas Caviar, and Redneck Caviar. While I think Redneck Caviar is the most humorous name, since I live in North Carolina I'm going to call it Carolina Caviar. Okay?

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.

Since I knew I wanted to put my home creation to a head-to-head taste test, I stopped at the grocery store on my way home from work and grabbed a small container of my usual-go-to store-bought Carolina Caviar.  I put a little of each on a crostini slice ...

... 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.

Carolina Caviar
Source:  Adapted from The Neely's, Down Home With the Neely's
(Printable recipe)

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

Directions

1. Combine black-eyed peas, bell pepper, onion, and cilantro in a large bowl.
2. 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.
3. 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.

NOTES:
- The vegetables included can be adjusted to personal preference.  I may try adding sliced olives and diced fresh tomatoes, which are both included in my former store-bought-go-to version.
- If you don't like cilantro, I would think you could substitute chopped fresh parsley just fine.
- 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.


Enjoy!

Please enjoy these other dip-able treats from The Kitchen is My Playground ...

BLT Dip

Easy Fruit Dip {Just 2 ingredients!}

Grape Salsa

3-Ingredient Shrimp Cocktail Dip

Cheesy Hot Broccoli Dip

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