Good Luck Black Eyed Peas

From my southern tradition and background I've been taught that eating black eyed peas on New Years Day was considered good luck. Not sure if it is true but it sure is a tasty dish.

This dish should be started the night before with a good soaking of the peas.




Ingredients:

2 cups dried and sorted black eyed peas
Water
1 sweet onion coarsley chopped
1 red bell pepper chopped
2-3 ribs of celery chopped
2-3 cloves garlic minced
1, 15 oz can diced tomatoes
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp each black, white, and red pepper
favorite no-salt seasoning to taste
1/2 tsp liquid smoke
red hot sauce or vinegar based pepper sauce to top

Directions:
Cover beans in pot and soak overnight.  Drain and refill with fresh water.  Cover by about an inch.  Bring to a boil and then set to simmer.  If you use a timer set it for an 1 1/2 hours.  While peas are simmering add onion, garlic, red pepper, and celery and saute for 3-5 minutes.  Add mixture to peas and stir well.  Add all other ingredients except tomatoes and liquid smoke.  When timer goes off add tomatoes and liquid smoke and cook and additional 15-30 minutes or when ever peas are done to your liking.  Add water as necessary to pot to keep peas covered.

Guests can top their bowls with hot sauce of their preference. Some people enjoy eating black eyed peas over rice. 

Enjoy!

New Years Day Hillbilly Hoedown

Although I live in the upper Midwest my families, for the most part, originated from the south: southern Indiana (bordering Kentucky), Tennessee, Virginia, and Missouri.  If you have ever eaten a meal with a southern family you know that it tastes good and is totally unhealthy.  Lots of grease, lard, hocks, salt and many other things that contribute to early graves and aches and pains later in life.

I've been a fan of southern food my entire life and have been working diligently to modify it to improve its nutrititional value.  In all seriousness, southern food is healthy when a little care and forethought is used in its preparation.

Another thing that my hillbilly (I use that term with the utmost respect, trust me) family would do is cook many southern dishes on New Years Day. It's considered good luck and ensures prosperity for the upcoming year. Yes, we still want prosperity even though in many circles it seems to be going out of style.

Why don't you come and set a spell and break bread with us on the 1st?

Menu
Black Eyed Peas
Hoppin John
Mixed Greens
Red Beans & Rice
Gumbo
Baked Sweet Potatoes
"Fried" Potatoes
Garic & Serrano Green Beans
Chopped melon
iced tea

Mmmm....Recipes to follow.