Texas Caviar Recipe
Texas Caviar was created by Helen Corbitt, a legendary American chef and cookbook author, in the 1940s. She first prepared this dish as a fun twist on traditional caviar, using affordable, accessible ingredients like black-eyed peas instead of the fish eggs typically associated with caviar.
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Small bowl or jar for dressing
- Knife and cutting board
- Wooden spoon or spatula for mixing
Ingredients
- 1 can (15 oz) black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup sweet corn, fresh or canned
- 1 bell pepper (red or yellow), diced
- 1 small red onion, diced
- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped (optional for a kick)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 cup green onions, sliced (optional)
For the Dressing:
- 1/3 cup olive oil1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp lime juice (freshly squeezed for best flavor)
- 1 tbsp honey or agave syrup (optional for sweetness)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Start by draining and rinsing the black-eyed peas and black beans thoroughly to remove any excess sodium or preservatives.
- Dice the bell pepper and red onion into small pieces. Halve the cherry tomatoes and finely chop the jalapeño pepper (if using) for a bit of spice. Chop the cilantro and green onions.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the black-eyed peas, black beans, corn, bell pepper, red onion, jalapeño, cherry tomatoes, cilantro, and green onions. Gently toss to mix all the vegetables and beans.
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, honey, garlic powder, and chili powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to gently mix, ensuring the dressing coats all the ingredients evenly.
- For the best flavor, cover the bowl and let the salad marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour. This helps the flavors meld together beautifully.
- Texas Caviar is delicious served chilled or at room temperature. Pair it with tortilla chips, or serve as a side dish with grilled meats or as a topping for tacos.