Happy New Year!

So did everyone have a good night last night? I went to downtown Nashville and watched the guitar drop for the very first time. And even though it rained and I ended up looking like a hot mess, I had a blast!

Did you eat your black-eyed peas yet?? It’s not too late, you still have another couple of hours to “guarantee” your luck in 2011! I’m not a superstitious person, but I do like to entertain the ideas behind the traditional New Year’s Day foods.

Lucky Black-Eyed Peas: (serves 4)
From seriouseats.com (Adaptations in red)

  • 1 cup dried black-eyed peas
  • 3 bacon, cut into 3/4-inch squares
  • 1 red onions, peeled and sliced (yellow onions were all I had)
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
  • 1/2 tablespoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt or kosher salt (1/2 teaspoon) <- Not a salt lover!
  • 1 teaspoon Tabasco or other hot sauce (1 teaspoon sriracha)

1. Soak your beans overnight or try the quick-soak technique.
2. Position a rack in the middle of your oven and preheat to 275 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Cook bacon in an oven-proof deep skillet or dutch oven over medium-high heat and cook until it renders its fat. Remove bacon from pan and set aside, saving the grease.
4. Add the onions, garlic, oregano (or Italian seasoning), and black pepper and cook, stirring, for 8 minutes.
Add the drained peas, bay leaves, salt, and 3 cups water.
5. Cover and transfer to oven. Cook until the peas are tender, at least 1 hour 15 minutes. Stir in the hot sauce and serve.

Make Me Rich Turnip Greens: (serves 4)
From foodnetwork.com (Adaptations in red)

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 shallot, chopped (again, only had yellow onions)
  • 1 clove garlic, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 1/2 pounds turnip greens, washed, stemmed, and chopped
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 cup chicken stock (I used low sodium veggie stock)
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted (since I planned for leftovers I only toasted a few to put on top of my one serving)

1. Heat olive oil in Dutch oven over medium heat.
2. Add shallot, garlic and red pepper flakes and saute until tender and fragrant.
3. Add the washed and cleaned turnip greens and mix together. Cook until they have wilted down, about 3 minutes. Add pepper to taste.
4. In a small bowl, whisk the Dijon mustard with the chicken stock. Add to the wilted greens and cook until the liquid has all but evaporated. Add the toasted pecans and serve immediately.

Well, I don’t know if I’ll be extremely rich or lucky in 2011, but I did thoroughly enjoy dinner!

I used to hate when my mom would break out the black-eyed peas (aka “dirt beans”) on New Year’s Day. I just recently gave them another chance and found my hatred had dissipated. This is the first time I’ve ever made the dried version and I think they taste a lot better than the canned variety. I may be a new black-eyed pea lover now! Mama would be so proud! 🙂

Hope everyone had a great first day of the new year! With #3 of my list of “intentions” in mind, I’m heading to bed! ‘Night!

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11 Responses to Happy New Year!

  1. I had black-eyed peas with dinner LOL
    You definitly are a HOTT mess! Girl your gorgeous!

  2. These look delish! Serious eats has never done me wrong! Such yumminess on that site/blog/whatever the heck it is! hehe!

  3. I would emphasize the HOT part of hot mess! Nice traditional eats!! 🙂

  4. you look stunning!! i love that recipe- i’ve seen black eyed peas all over blogs recently!

  5. You know that I have never made beans from scratch? Isn’t that sad – perhaps I’ll try it with black eyed peas as I do love them. Greens are another thing I LOVE but never make. I’ve tried a few times and they never turn out that great. So, I just end up going to Calypso Cafe and ordering a ton of their mustard greens. They’re so good – wish I could figure out their recipe.

    Guess you did end up getting wet – sorry about that but happy to hear you had a good time in Nashville. Happy New Year Heather!

  6. Sounds like you had a nice new years eve (despite the weather!). Happy New Year! 🙂

  7. Priyanka says:

    You look really hot 🙂 Nice recipe!

  8. You looked awesome, girl!
    I can tell you’ve had a pretty amazing NYE 🙂
    Happy New Year!
    xoxo

  9. Yes! I definitely had my black eyed peas! Family tradition and all, you know. 😉

    And girl, you are so pretty! 🙂 Love your hair!

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