Stewed Black Eyed Peas with Spinach and Smoked Fish
A hearty Senegalese-inspired vegetarian stew combining black eyed peas, tender spinach, and smoky dried fish for deep flavor. This african-inspired vegetarian ready in about 70 minutes pairs (200 g) dried black eyed peas, (960 ml) water, palm oil or vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 290 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (200 g) dried black eyed peas
- 4 cups (960 ml) water
- 1/2 cup (75 g) smoked dried fish, boneless and flaked
- 3 tbsp palm oil or vegetable oil
- 1 medium (120 g) onion, finely chopped
- 2 medium (240 g) tomato, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 scotch bonnet pepper, whole
- 4 cups (120 g) fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- for serving lime wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup dried black eyed peas and soak in water overnight or at least 6 hours. Drain and transfer to a large pot with 4 cups fresh water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 45 minutes until tender but not mushy.
- Step 2: While peas cook, heat 3 tbsp palm oil or vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes until soft.
- Step 3: Add 2 diced medium tomatoes, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 whole scotch bonnet pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 7 minutes until the tomatoes break down and the mixture is fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup flaked smoked dried fish, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp ground cumin. Cook for 3 minutes to blend flavors.
- Step 5: Add the tomato and fish mixture to the cooked black eyed peas. Stir in 4 cups chopped fresh spinach and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes until the spinach wilts and the stew thickens slightly.
- Step 6: Remove the scotch bonnet pepper before serving. Serve hot with lime wedges to squeeze over the stew for brightness.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stewed Black Eyed Peas with Spinach and Smoked Fish take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (10 min prep + 60 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Stewed Black Eyed Peas with Spinach and Smoked Fish?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (200 g) dried black eyed peas from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stewed Black Eyed Peas with Spinach and Smoked Fish?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Stewed Black Eyed Peas with Spinach and Smoked Fish for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Stewed Black Eyed Peas with Spinach and Smoked Fish?
African vegetarian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
