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Meals: Things That Might Go With #1

bgibson135

The first item I fixed in my new Instant Pot (actually my first and only Instant Pot) was black eyed peas with some seasoning meat. They turned out wonderfully. After a day in the fridge, and reheating, with a little chopped sweet onion, they were great!

Just yesterday, it had turned cold, and I had been up to Raleigh. I visited the State Farmers Market, Whole Foods & Wegmans before leaving town. On the way back home, I wanted some turnip & turnip greens with a little pork flavoring, and “the Red Neck BBQ Lab” off of I 40 did not have any (and really didn’t have a fixed time when they might — I was told to just check their Facebook page for updates).

I also stopped at Lee’s Fresh Market and bought three items: thick cut pork chops, frozen shrimp (heads & tails off, & peeled) and some chicken breasts. When I came through Erwin, North Carolina, I stopped at the IGA and bought a bunch of fresh turnips, with the greens still attached. By “a bunch” I didn’t mean a lot, but they come in a bunch, like a bunch of carrots.

I’ve already made “one mess” of turnips & greens and they turned out great. They were so good, and it took so little time (only 6 minutes under Pressure Cook) in the Instant Pot that I won’t have to go out to get them, ever again (until I can’t cook for myself at some point in the future).

So, this page is a result of me thinking, I would like to have some black eyed peas and some turnips & turnip greens as a meal, “What should I have with these two items.” And I asked my ‘AI of Choice’ Chat GPT and here is what it suggested (knowing a little about my likes & dislikes). And I think the suggestions were so good that I made this page so that I could remember them.

black-eyed peas with seasoning meat
Red Neck BBQ Lab’s
Turnips & Greens
turnips & greens with bacon

Oven-Roasted Okra
Cabbage (steamed, sautéed)
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Chilled Cucumber & Onion Salad
Cornbread
Stewed Tomatoes

1. Roasted Sweet Potatoes (top pick)
    Natural sweetness balances the savory sides.
    Diabetic-friendly when roasted plain.
    Cube and roast 30–40 minutes at 400°F, or cook halved in the Instant Pot for 12 minutes.

2. Cornbread (classic Carolina/Southern pairing)
    Matches both greens and peas perfectly.
    Adds comforting texture and slight sweetness.
    Low-carb versions are possible if needed.

3. Cabbage (steamed, sautéed, or Instant Pot)
    Mild, buttery, and doesn’t overpower other flavors.
    Takes only 3 minutes in the Instant Pot.
    Completes the plate without adding heaviness.

4. Oven-Roasted Okra (or air-fried)
    Light, Southern, and easy.
    Roast at 425°F for 15–20 minutes with salt, pepper, and oil.
    Crispy outside and creamy inside.

5. Stewed Tomatoes
    Bright and light, balances heavier sides.
    Simple: tomatoes, onion, pepper, and a pinch of sweetener.
    Adds color and acidity to the plate.

6. Chilled Cucumber & Onion Salad
    Cool, crisp contrast to the hot sides.
    Sliced cucumbers + sweet onion + apple cider vinegar + salt.
    Refreshing and palate-cleansing.

NOTE: I love cornbread, especially the sweet “Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix” that I’ve made into a jalapeno & onion version, or even a sweet version with fruit. But, I know I can’t eat this without my blood sugar spiking. But if it didn’t, yeah, I would have cornbread with these foods. [end]

🥇 1. Roasted Sweet Potatoes (top pick)

This is the perfect complement.

Why it works:

  • Natural sweetness balances the savory peas and greens
  • Soft texture pairs with the beans
  • No vinegar needed
  • Extremely diabetic-friendly when roasted plain
  • Works hot or cold

Just cube them, toss with a little olive oil + salt, roast 30–40 minutes at 400°F.

Instant Pot version also works (cut in half, 12 minutes).

🥈 2. Cornbread (classic Carolina/Southern pairing)

If you want a classic soul-food plate:

  • Turnips & greens
  • Black-eyed peas
  • Cornbread

The cornbread adds a comforting, slightly sweet or slightly savory element depending on your recipe.

If you’re watching carbs, you can make a thin skillet-style no-sugar cornbread or even a cornbread made with almond flour + a little cornmeal.

🥉 3. Cabbage (steamed, sautéed, or Instant Pot)

Mild, buttery cabbage is a great third side because:

  • It doesn’t fight the flavors
  • It rounds out the “vegetable trio”
  • It’s extremely low carb
  • Takes 3 minutes in the Instant Pot
  • Works with a splash of vinegar or not

This makes the plate feel complete without overwhelming anything.

⭐ 4. Oven-roasted okra (or air-fried)

If you want something lighter but still Southern:

  • 425°F for 15–20 min
  • Salt, pepper, olive oil
  • Crispy on the outside, creamy inside

You told me before you fry okra without breading — this is the same vibe but easier and lighter.

Will It Crisp Like the Picture?
Yes — as long as you:

  • Use the air-fry basket, not the solid pan
  • Cut the okra lengthwise for better airflow
  • Spread into one layer — no stacking
  • Use high heat (425–450°F on your model)

Your Black+Decker toaster oven’s air-fry mode uses strong convection, which is perfect for crisp okra with no flour at all.

Simple Air-Fried Okra (No Flour, Diabetic-Friendly Seasoning)

Ingredients

  • Fresh okra, sliced lengthwise
  • 1–2 teaspoons oil (just enough to lightly coat—thin is key)
  • Salt & black pepper
  • Optional diabetic-friendly spices:
    • Turmeric (great color + anti-inflammatory)
    • Garlic powder
    • Onion powder
    • Smoked paprika
    • A tiny pinch of cayenne
    • Fenugreek powder (very small amount—pairs well with okra)

All of these add flavor without carbs, flour, or sugar.

Instructions for Your Toaster Oven

  1. Preheat on Air Fry at 425°F for 3–4 minutes.
  2. Toss okra with a small amount of oil and the spices you like.
  3. Spread into a single layer on the mesh air-fry tray.
  4. Air fry 12–16 minutes, flipping or shaking halfway.
  5. Remove when the edges look crisp and browned.

(Your toaster oven heats close to the food, so start checking around 10–12 minutes.)

Tips for Extra Crispiness

  • Don’t overcrowd the tray — crispness comes from airflow.
  • Use very little oil — too much softens okra.
  • Slice lengthwise — more exposed surface = more crisp.
  • If using frozen okra, cook straight from frozen, no thawing.

⭐ 5. Stewed tomatoes (simple, bright, cuts richness)

This adds:

  • Color
  • Acidity
  • A lighter contrast
  • Old-school Southern flavor

Only tomatoes, a little onion, pepper, and a pinch of sweetener if needed.

⭐ 6. A simple chilled cucumber & onion salad

This is a refreshing counterpoint to the hot, heavy sides.
Just:

  • Sliced cukes
  • Sliced sweet onion
  • ACV
  • Water
  • Pinch of salt

It brightens the plate.

🏆 The Most Balanced Plate (For You)

Considering your tastes, diabetes control, and what you’ve enjoyed lately, the best trio would be:

Turnips & Greens + Black-Eyed Peas + Roasted Sweet Potatoes

That plate is:

  • Balanced
  • Filling
  • Low sugar
  • High fiber
  • Flavorful
  • Southern as it gets