Sandi is blogging from the WhistleStop Cafe kitchen. It's all about good home cooking; food, family and fun. Thousands of posts . . .

~In the south and around the world.



Saturday, December 30, 2006

For Luck...

2006 is coming to a close. This is the time of year when we are all looking to the new year for changes. It is a chance to change the future, our direction, and our fortune.
This is the very reason that any good southerner wouldn't think of having a new years day without black eyed peas, greens, and cornbread. The black eyed peas are for luck, the greens are for money, and the cornbread is for soppin it all up.
Some people refer to a big pot of black eyed peas as Hoppin' John. JJ gives a pretty good explanation for the term Hoppin' John, and a couple of good recipes for black-eyed peas. We prefer our peas and rice separate. This recipe is one that we have used for years. It will make a mess of peas, plenty to share with family and friends- pass the good luck around.
Black -Eyed Peas
2 cups dried peas
6 cups boiling water
4-5 slices bacon, diced
1 onion, chopped
salt to taste
Place dried peas in a bowl, discard any pebbles or broken beans. Cover with boiling water, let stand for two hours. In a large kettle, saute onion in bacon fat. Pour in 5 cups boiling water. Drain peas and add to the pot, add salt. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat. Cook 1-2 hours, keeping covered with water. Cook peas until tender.
This recipe is similar to the one in Fannie Flagg's Cookbook. Even Fannie says "I have never missed having black-eyed peas on that day and I have had the best of luck every year."
We may not be rich, or especially lucky... but imagine where we would be if we hadn't been eating our black-eyed peas!
Y'all enjoy!
Sandi

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Sandi,
My mom always had blackeyed peas in some form on New Years Day. I like the simplicity of yours.
Thanks for stopping by my place. I certainly like the looks of yours and plan some return visits.
All the best to you in the new 2007.

Anonymous said...

I had never heard of this tradition. Thanks for the education :)
Happy New Year Sandi!
Kristen

Images By Barbara Ann said...

Hi Sandi & Bill,

Oh, how I enjoy blackeyed peas. When I make them as a soup I have varied the recipe on occasion. My favorite is adding onion, diced carrots and celery. I have found it's great to add 1/4 pound of boiled ground chuck to the mix. Then I have added V8 Spicy Hot Tomato Juice.

I'm glad you enjoyed my photos of the Whistle Stop in Glendale, KY.

Barbara Ann

Anonymous said...

Thanks for stopping by y'all. I don't think I have ever had soup with black-eyed peas...but I'll have to give it a try!

chef yum yum said...

This was the first year I ever cooked for this tradition - and I combined the money and the luck into one delicious soup, combining black-eyed peas with kale!

I hope all our bean and green wishes come true!

Anonymous said...

Well the luck was passed around and touched me... Found your blog by chance and I feel very privileged...
My daughter is a fan of the group "Black-eyed peas" , so the words spotted in your list aroused my attention ! now I know what they get their name from!
(Why "black-eyed"?)
I enjoyed my nosey visit!

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