Pickled Black-Eyed Peas

From: Richard Lee Holbert in Texas

Pickled Black-Eyed Peas
Serves 8

Black-eyed peas are a part of our African legacy. In this recipe they are marinated with vinegar and hot chile to create a savory dish that is also known as Texas caviar. The black-eyed peas can be eaten as a condiment or a
side dish.

Here, they are served in a lettuce cup as an appetizer. To save time during the busy holiday, this recipe calls for canned black-eyed peas, though the dish can also be made with fresh or frozen peas. It takes on a festive air
with the addition of dark purple, red, and green bell pepper. Note that the black-eyed peas must marinate overnight.

2 cans (1 pound each) black-eyed peas, drained
1/4 cup minced dark purple bell pepper
1/4 cup minced red bell pepper
1/4 cup minced green bell pepper
1 tablespoon finely minced garlic
1 small onion, minced
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup olive oil
2 branches fresh thyme, crumbled
1 head Boston lettuce, separated into 8 leaves

Pour the drained black-eyed peas into a medium-sized bowl and add the bell peppers, garlic, and onion. In another bowl, combine the vinegars, olive oil, and thyme to form
the marinade. Pour the marinade over the black-eyed pea mixture, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight so that the flavors blend, stirring occasionally.
When ready to serve, place the lettuce leaves on individual plates, spoon the black-eyed peas onto the lettuce, and serve.

Gooey Cake

Got this from my friend in Orlando, Glen.
It ranks right up there with one of the best
cakes you have ever had.


Gooey Cake

Preheat oven to 350
Nuke one stick of butter till melted
Nuke another stick of butter - keep separate
Set out an 8 oz pack of cream cheese to soften


In large bowl:
one stick of melted butter
one plain yellow cake mix
1 egg
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup coconut

Mix on low speed until the batter forms into a ball. Get's real hard to
mix.

Press flat into a 13" x 9" pan and smooth till even

In same bowl (no cleaning necessary)
Mix:

softened cream cheese
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
the other stick of melted butter
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

put the cream cheese in first and beat on low till it's fluffy

add the eggs, vanilla, and butter and beat on medium for about a minute

add the powdered sugar then beat till its all blended


Pour this mixture over the other in the pan and smooth out till it's all
covered and even.

Bake about 45 minutes. When it's done the top will be golden brown but
still soft and a bit liquid to the touch.

Let pan cool on wire rack about a half hour before serving.