JANUARY 1 NEW YEAR'S DAY TRADITIONAL GOOD LUCK MEAL

Traditions run strong in the South and here is one for New Years Day Good Luck Meal! Black Eyed Peas....nope not the band the food!!!

Basic New Year's Day good luck recipe:

1 lb black eyed peas...

1 large onion (use white or red will give color)

2 tsp. of olive oil

3 garlic cloves (or 3 tsp. of garlic powder)

1 tsp. dried thyme

¼ to 1 full tsp. of crushed red pepper flakes

¼ tsp. of black pepper

32 oz of low sodium chicken stock/broth (+one if wanting soup )

Fresh spinach or collard greens

Note: Soak peas in a large bowl covered with water overnight. Rinse before cooking.

Things you can add or not for your own taste. 

Tomatoes/ red chilies, Ham hock with bone

Ground Italian sausage that has been browned and drained.

Shrimp last 20 minutes of cooking

Large chunks pre pre-cooked bacon are also at the end.

The traditional meat is:  Chitlins…(pig intestines) Pigs feet….not for me….

In large soup pot after rinsing peas, add 4 cups of water and 1 chicken stock to 

Pot. Add Chopped onion, olive oil, crushed garlic, thyme,Red pepper flakes, black pepper, and the soaked rinsed peas.

Ham and Sausage can be added now if using. Cover and Cook on low heat for approx. 2 hrs. Stir occasionally.If you want a 

Bean meals add veggies and or shrimp 20-30 minutes before serving. If you want soup use your +one chicken stock.

Fresh spinach or collard greens: A must for good luck! In fry pan melt ½ stick butter add greens and mix till

They are wilted and then folded to mix just a few minutes before serving.  

Now where is that hot buttered corn bread? 

Take a pkg of Jiffy cornbread and add 1 tsp. Honey and drain a small can of corn to add to the mix. Wow!!!!!