2 strips bacon
1 c. onion, chopped
1 c. bell pepper, chopped
1 c. celery, chopped
1/2 tsp. sweet basil
20 oz. can tomatoes
1 tbsp. sugar
1 lg. bay leaf
Salt & pepper to taste
2 pkgs. frozen black-eyed peas

Fry bacon until crisp, remove from fat and drain. Brown the onion, bell pepper and celery in fat. Add crumbled bacon, tomatoes, sugar, bay leaf, basil, salt and pepper. Simmer 5 minutes. Add peas to the above without thawing. Cook slowly for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, adding water when necessary.