The Lazy Cook

Well yesterday was Bonfire Night and also on a cookery programme on TV in the morning was a rerun of Keith Floyd (of beloved memory) making groaty pudding which apparently is a traditional Black Country dish.  So?? Well, I'm from the Black Country and I have never heard of groaty pudding, but the fact that it was Bonfire Night reminded me of another traditional dish from round here - grey peas and bacon (grey pays 'n bercun). Grey peas are also known as pigeon peas and you get them from pet shops or health food shops.  You soak them overnight and put them in a saucepan with some chopped onion, pearl barley and bacon which has been cut into small pieces and browned off in the frying pan.  Add some stock to cover and simmer for about four hours.  Although the peas are brown, the liquid from them is grey - hence the name.  Delish!