The Pennys do Lunch

June 26th, 2009

I love blogging. There are so many wonderful people out there in cyberspace. When I first started I knew no one, but over the course of the last six months I feel I have come to know so many. Penny is one of them. At first I was surprised that we had the same name. Then as the comments flew back and forth we found out that we live practically next door to each other; she in Hendersonville and I in Lake Lure. On further exchanges we found out that we both grew up in Michigan, she on a lake and I near a lake. I would venture to say that we are close to the same age but we didn’t go there. Penny is a mosaic artist and has two blogs. One is Lavender Hill Studio where she features her art work and the other is The Comforts of Home, a design blog that also features some of her wonderful recipes. We have been planning to get together for some time now and earlier this week we did.
We met in Landrum, SC, a charming small town just across the State line and spent the morning shopping and antiquing. We had lunch at a delightful restaurant called Stone Soup. Penny had the zucchini, corn and goat cheese quesadillas.

I had the black-eyed pea cakes on a bed of greens. Both dishes were very tasty and colorful.

I now have a new friend and we are planning to get together again soon. I highly recommend getting to know your blogging buddies. Visit Penny’s blog for more pictures of our day and the fable about stone soup.

I have always wanted to try black-eyed pea cakes. They are served often in vegetarian restaurants and remind me of crab cakes in the way they are prepared. After having them at the restaurant, I decided to try them at home. I found a recipe that came originally from Southern Living Magazine and fixed them for lunch recently. They added an unusual and pleasant topping to salad greens. I think they would also make a great appetizer with a dollop of chow chow on top. See A Southern Grace for that recipe.

BLACK-EYED PEA CAKES

1 small onion chopped
1 Tbls olive oil
2 (15.5 ounce) cans black-eyed peas, rinsed, drained, and divided
1 (8 ounce) container chive-and-onion-flavored cream cheese, softened
1 large egg
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp hot sauce
1 (8 ounce) package hush puppy mix with onion
olive oil

Saute onion in 1 tablespoon hot oil in a large skillet over medium high heat until tender. Process onion, 1 can of peas, and next 4 ingredients in a blender or food processor until mixture is smooth, stopping to scrape down sides. Stir in hush puppy mix, and gently fold in remaining can of peas.

Shape mixture by 2 tablespoonfuls into 3 inch patties, and place on a wax paper-lined baking sheet. Cover and chill 1 hour.

Cook patties, in batches, in 3 tablespoons hot oil, adding oil as needed, in a large skillet over medium heat for 1 1/2 minutes on each side or until patties are golden brown. Drain patties on paper towels, and keep them warm. Serve with desired toppings or on a salad.

Printable recipe

13 responses to “The Pennys do Lunch”

  1. Aggie says:

    I’m pretty sure I would love those black eyed pea cakes. I love bean patties like that, and wow, how good do they look on your salad! Now let me ask you, is the first picture from the restaurant and the second yours at home? If so, you did a great job of replicating!!!

  2. Penny says:

    Yes Aggie, I tried to make mine (the second one) look similar. Thanks!

  3. Karen says:

    How nice that the two of you were able to get together. One of the best things about blogging has been the people I’ve met. What good protein there is in the black eyed pea cakes!

  4. I had the BEST time when we were together! I am looking forward to the next time. Your black eyed pea cakes actually look better than the original!
    Hugs,
    Penny

  5. Katy ~ says:

    Penny and Penny, I am so thrilled to see blogging friends get together. That has to be one of the best experiences. I know what you mean about “clicking” with someone you’ve met through blogging. I’ve met so many wonderful people in the blogging community that I feel as if they are long-time friends. I think nothing brings people together like a common interest in food. There are so many I’d like to meet in person; I hope one that that that opportunity avails itself.

    I’ve never had black eyed peas in a cake or anything else, but I would certainly love to try it. Your photos are just terrific.

    And aren’t you two ladies just lovely!

  6. Mary says:

    Your lunch looks delicious. It’s wonderful when blogging opens new doors and introduces new friends. You are two lucky ladies. Have a wonderful weekend.

  7. Natashya says:

    So wonderful that you have gotten to know a like minded blogger in your neighbourhood. The lunch looks great!

  8. BMK says:

    Looks like you two had a fun day. I’ve never had black eyed pea cakes but it looks like something that would be nice for a light lunch.

  9. Kathy says:

    Penny,

    My hubby made me this same recipe from Southern Living, but he had a hard time keeping it together. It was very good though. I might have to give it a go next time!

    I left you an award on my blog! :o)

  10. Tammy says:

    Sounds like so much fun!! How neat it must be to spend a day with one of your blogging friends.

  11. Grace says:

    oh penny, you’re so right—chow chow would be AWESOME on those patties! meanwhile, i’m glad you were able to actually meet and befriend a fellow blogger! 🙂

  12. Lisa says:

    It looks delicious!

  13. […] from where I live.  It was meant to be.  I had to meet her.  I wrote about our first meeting here.  We have since become great […]

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