Seasoned Black-Eyed Peas - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb. dried black-eyed peas
water
1/4 lb. Canadian bacon
2 medium onions, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 small bay leaf
1 clove garlic, chopped
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 (6 oz.) can no-salt-added tomato paste
freshly ground black pepper to taste

Preparation

Rinse peas and place them in a large saucepan.
Cover with water and let soak for 45 minutes.
Cook Canadian bacon until crisp in a skillet over medium-high heat.
Drain on paper towels. Chop and set aside.