To soak beans overnight; rinse your beans and place them in a large bowl covered with an extra 2 inches of water (beans will swell and some may crack).

The next day rinse your beans under fresh water and set aside.

Heat a pan over medium heat with olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the onion and garlic cooking for 5 minutes. Add the thyme and bay leaves and season everything with salt and pepper. Continue to cook for 5 more minutes, making sure the ingredients don’t burn.

Add the black-eyed peas and 8 cups of water and bring to a boil. As the water begins to boil, skim off the foam that accumulates on the top.

Once boiling, reduce to a simmer and cook for 45 minutes or so until the beans are cooked.

Remove the bay leaves and thyme and season with more salt and pepper to taste; serve!