HAPPY NEW YEAR

Many parts of the U.S. celebrate the new year by consuming black-eyed peas. These legumes are typically accompanied by either hog jowls or ham. Black-eyed peas and other legumes have been considered good luck in many cultures. The hog, and thus its meat, is considered lucky because it symbolizes prosperity. Cabbage is another "good luck" vegetable that is consumed on New Year's Day by many. Cabbage leaves are also considered a sign of prosperity, being representative of paper currency. In some regions, rice is a lucky food that is eaten on New Year's Day.

I personally can not abide the taste of black eye'd pea's or black beans for that matter...


but, here is a speedy way to make some rather tasty dishes with said offending legumes

Basic Black eye'd pea's

Ingredients

* 3 cups water
* 1 pound dry black-eyed peas
* 2 smoked ham hocks
* salt to taste
* 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
* 1 bay leaf

Directions

1. Rinse dried peas thoroughly, sorting any tiny pebbles or other debris.
2. In a large stockpot, bring 3 cups of water to a boil with black-eyed peas, ham hocks, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Reduce to a simmer and cook, uncovered, 1 1/2 hours, or until peas and ham hocks are tender. If ham hocks require further cooking, simmer in water in a separate pot until meat is easily pulled from the bone.
3. Cool ham hocks and remove all meat from the bone. Stir ham into the peas, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed, and serve.



black eye pea stew
Ingredients

* 1/4 cup butter
* 1 small onion, chopped
* 1 small green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
* 8 ounces smoked sausage, sliced
* 8 ounces of diced cooked ham
* 1 tablespoon garlic powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon pepper
* 2 lbs of cooked black-eyed peas(can be canned)
* (1 inch) cube smoked hog jowel for luck, (salt pork of fat back can be sub'd but will only make you 1/2 as lucky)
* 3/4 cup water
* 1/2 cup cooked white rice
* 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, bell pepper and smoked sausage. Season with garlic powder, salt and pepper. Add the black-eyed peas and ham and hog jowel for luck for the next year! Pour in the water and bring to a boil. Simmer over low heat for 1/2 hour. When ready to serve, stir in cooked rice and serve topped with cheese melted under the broiler..


black eye'd pea salad
ngredients

* 1 cup dehydrated sun-dried tomatoes
* 2 pounds of cooked black-eyed peas, drained (can be canned)
* 1/2 small red onion, chopped
* 1 small green bell pepper, chopped
* 6 ounce crumbled feta cheese
* 1/3 cup olive oil
* 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
* 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
* 1 tablespoon honey

Directions

1. Place sun-dried tomatoes in a small bowl with enough boiling water to cover. Allow to sit 3 minutes, or until softened. Drain, and cut into strips.
2. In a medium bowl, mix the sun-dried tomatoes, black-eyed peas, onion, bell pepper, and feta.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and honey. Drizzle over the salad, and gently toss to coat. Refrigerate 1 hour before serving.



Auld Lang Syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

And there's a hand my trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand o thine,
And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught,
For auld lang syne

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!