Happy New Year!

There are a lot of traditions that are observed around the world on New Year's Day and here in the southern United States it is eating black eyed peas for good luck.  The tradition dates back to our Civil War in the 1860's.   At first planted as food for livestock, and later a food staple for slaves, the fields of black-eyed peas were ignored as General Sherman's troops destroyed or stole other crops, thereby giving the humble, but nourishing, black-eyed pea an important role as a major food source for surviving Confederates.

One of my favorite ways to serve them is with rice, ham and tomatoes in a dish called Hoppin' John.

Old South Hoppin' John

Cheap. Fast. Good!

by Beverly Mills & Alicia Ross



 

Ingredients:

 

2 tsp olive oil

1 cup chopped onion

1 cup chopped ham

2 tsp mince garlic

4 cups chicken broth

1tsp Worcestershire sauce

1/4 tsp dried basil

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 1/2 cup long grain rice

2 cans (15 oz) black-eyed peas

1 can (14 1/2 oz) diced tomatoes

 

saute onion and garlic a couple of minutes in oil then add ham

 

 

 

next add chicken broth and spices and bring to a boil

 

 

add rice and lower heat to simmer 20 minutes

 

 

 



 

while rice cooks drain and rinse peas

 

 

 

 

When rice is done add tomatoes and black-eyed peas.

Cook, stirring, until the tomatoes and peas are thoroughly mixed in with the rice.

 

 

 

 

Here's wishing you and yours

good luck and a Happy New Year!