Bean, Tomato and Bacon Relish

Ingredients:

• 3 cups dry black-eyed beans
• 2 thick slices of bacon
• 1/4 bunch fresh thyme
• 2 tomatoes, cut into 4 pieces
• 5 dried chili peppers
• 5 cloves of garlic
• 4 cups lightly salted chicken broth
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus extra for serving
• 4 green onions, chopped
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Extra-virgin olive oil, to drizzle

Preparation:

1. Combine the beans, bacon, thyme, tomatoes, chili, and garlic in a large saucepan. Season with salt and pepper to taste and pour in the chicken broth. Simmer over medium-low heat until the beans are tender, about 1 hour.
2. Drain the liquid into a separate bowl. Remove the thyme and chili peppers. Remove the bacon, tomatoes, and garlic from the beans. Chop the bacon and return it to the pot along with the cilantro, onion, and lemon juice.
3. Puree the bean broth with the tomatoes and garlic in a blender. Stir the puree into the beans and season with salt and pepper, if needed. Sprinkle with cilantro and drizzle with olive oil.