Black-Eyed Pea Risotto with Bacon and Southern Greens

Place peas in a pot and put enough cold water to cover beans. Soak for one hour. Then bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer until fully cooked, about one hour.

In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter, add onions, celery and peppers, when translucent and just starting to caramelize, add in garlic and saute briefly, add in rice and saute, stirring frequently to coat kernels with the oil for 2 minutes. Slowly start adding in the hot chicken stock 1 cup at a time, stirring constantly on medium-low heat. Continue this method until chicken stock remaining is about 1 cup and check for the consistency of the rice. It should be creamy with a tiny bit of resistance to the grain. Turn off heat, drain peas well, and slowly fold into risotto, adding the 2 tablespoons of remaining butter, Parmesan and salt and pepper, to taste. If risotto is too thick, gently stir in the remaining chicken stock to desired consistency.

Heat reserved bacon fat in a saute pan, stir in greens, allowing them to wilt, when almost wilted, add in 4 tablespoons vinegar, when wilted, add in bacon, zest and salt and pepper to taste.

Place risotto on serving plate(s) and top with the Southern Greens, dress with reserved tablespoon of vinegar and the extra-virgin olive oil.

Garnish with a sprinkle of Parmesan.