Purple Hull Peas & Hot Water Cornbread

A good old Southern Meal. Fried Pork Chops with Homemade Gravy, Purple Hull Peas, Mashed Potatoes and Hot Water Cornbread its doesn't get any better than that. Purple Hull Pea's and Cornbread It's definitely a southern thing kind of like fried okra, fried green tomatoes, peach cobbler, fried pork chops and cornbread. That is just what I served my peas with good old fried pork chops and gravy. Are y'all hungry yet???? I love Purple Hull Peas but this was my first attempt to cook them can you believe that. My mother in law cooks them all the time so my thoughts are if you can read a recipe you can cook.

My husband brought home some Peas that he purchased out in the country at a road side farming stand. (on his way back from fishing of course.) I love to stop and get fruits and veggies on the side of the road from local farmers its so fun to choose, so many choices on what to get. I don't know about you but i want all of it. So it was a good thing i wasn't with him he thinks i take to long deciding, which I do. LOL

I wasn't sure if I could pull off cooking the peas, but I was up for the challenge. All in all they turned out wonderful the peas were so flavorful and it was the prefect addition to my fried pork chops. Hot Water Cornbread is one of my all time favorite oldies recipe. I had a friend years and years ago about 15 years ago to be exact. Well she that taught me how to make this wonderful cornbread. I have had several attempts at making this recipe some good some bad. I finally got it down it just took some practice.

If i remember one thing she told me always always make sure your grease is hot enough if not it will be just a greasy soggy piece of mess. every time i told her i tried to make it and explained my results she always said the same thing "your grease wasn't hot enough" My DH thought the Hot Water Cornbread tasted like a big hush puppy, me I just love them slathered with butter. Don't be afraid to attempt these recipes they really are true comfort food. Lets get started don't forget the full recipes are at the end of the post.

These are the ingredients you will need for the hot water cornbread.
I used Self Rising Flour in this recipe so the salt and baking powder are not pictured.

add cornmeal to a large bowl


add flour and sugar (salt and baking powder if using all purpose flour)


Boil your water


add a little water at a time be careful remember it is boiled water.

add just enough to make stick together

it will look something like this. Kind of like a really thick semi mushy paste.


using your hand form into oblong shaped pieces. You can wet your hands when forming to make it easier.


drop into hot oil... Cook about 2 1/2 minutes flip and cook


until golden brown on each side, drain onto paper towels cool and serve.



Look how beautiful they turned out. Crispy good!!!!!!!!!

Fresh Purple Hull Peas

Some of you may be asking what are Purple Hull Peas? Purple hull's are similar to Black Eyed Peas, but have double the flavor. They look the same in shape and size, but are different in color and a tad bit sweeter -- kind of lavender with a little pistachio green mixed in, even a wee bit of pink around the eye. Purple hull peas are very filling served on top of rice. They are usually eaten as a side veggie with a serving of cornbread nearby. Whether seasoned with just salt & pepper, or a load of spices accompanied with a ham, salt pork or bacon any way they’re cooked they are just simply the best.

Here are the fresh shelled peas I purchased this is about a 2lb bag priced at $5. This is actually enough for two dinners for our family if it is a side item. If it was just beans and cornbread the whole 2lb bag would need to be used for one whole meal.


These are the ingredients you will need.
Garlic, bacon, salt and pepper, fresh purple hull peas, onion and water.

Cut your bacon into small pieces

Chop your onion


Add oil or bacon drippings, bacon and onion to a large pot.



Fry until the bacon starts to render the fat and the onions are glossy in color, add the galic and saute about one minute longer.


rinse peas and add to your pot


add enough water to cover the peas.

Bring to a boil and boil about 30 minutes. Lower the heat to med-low, cover and cook until the peas are just starting to soften a little stirring occasionally. Add more water if necessary, you want at least 1 inch of water above the peas. The cooking time can vary anywhere from 45 min - 1 hour total cooking times. Don't overcook you don't want mushy peas.

When peas are softened they are done.

Drain off some of the liquid, season with salt and pepper and place in a serving bowl.

Fresh Purple Hull Peas

2 pounds fresh shucked purple hull peas
2 garlic cloves, whole
1 tablespoon canola oil or bacon drippings
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
5-6 slices bacon
enough water to cover peas in the pot

Place oil or bacon drippings in a large pot over medium high heat. Add chopped bacon, onion and garlic. Rinse peas and add peas and enough water to cover the peas. Bring to a boil and cook about 30 minutes. Lower the fire to med-low, cover and cook until the peas are just starting to soften a little stirring occasionally. Add more water if necessary, you want at least 1 inch of water above the peas. When peas are done drain off some of the liquid season with salt and pepper and place in a serving bowl.



Hot Water Cornbread

3/4 cup regular corn meal
1/4 cup flour
1 Tablespoon sugar
1/2 Teaspoon baking powder
dash of salt
Boiling water enough to make batter stick together
*If using self rising flour omit baking powder and salt*

In a skillet pour enough oil in pan so batter can float get the oil really hot. They key to making hot water cornbread is making sure you oil is hot enough. I used Self Rising Flour in this recipe. Mix the above ingredients together and add boiling water just enough to make stick. form into oblong pieces and drop into hot oil... Cook about 2 1/2 minutes on each side flip until golden brown on each side.



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