A Meal Of Plenty

Who would like a dose of Luck and Prosperity

for the new year ahead?

Then you might want to consider dining

on black eyed peas New Year's day...

This is an old southern tradition 

that still holds strong today...

Add some greens (mustard, collard) with it

and that is suppose to represent Currency...
Definitely don't forget the ham...
it represents Wealth...

And of course you must have a wedge of corn bread...

that represents Gold...

Add them all together and you have a meal of plenty

which will hopefully give you a fabulous year...

Of course I'll take all the luck, prosperity & wealth I can 

so of course this is served at our house...

I prefer to make Hoppin John 

which incorporates all of the above into one pot...


Ingredients:
(Adapted from 2 Southern Living Recipes)
1 onion chopped
1 green bell pepper chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1-1/2 cups cooked rice
1 can collard greens drained
1 - 15 oz can black eyed peas rinsed & drained
1 can diced tomatoes
1 cup diced cooked ham 
(I usually buy a half of spiral ham in the meat section 
and then just chop about half of it up 
and save the other half for another meal)
1/2 teaspoon sugar


Directions:
Saute the onion and green pepper in a large pan or dutch oven
until tender.  Add the rest of the ingredients and cook over medium heat until hot.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Voila'...
Easy, yummy and hopefully lucky...
(P.S. - I have hot sauce on the table for doctoring...)


Oh and don't forget to add a tad of sugar to your cornbread too...
It makes all the difference...

{image via Cooking Light}