Start off the New Year on the right foot!
Two Southern classics graced my yinz-saying, yankee-filled family table for new years among lots of other dishes like my sister’s first ham and my mom’s sweet potatoes.
My boyfriend grew up in the South. His mom is the best Southern cook I know. She says that the greens represent dollar bills and the black-eyed peas represent coins.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Most Southerners agree with this theory as much as most Southerners agree to adding fat back or ham hocks in each. Nonetheless, the tradition of eating these two foods ensures good fortune (luck) and fortune (wealth) in the new year. I wanted to ensure that I continue this tradition in my own family.
Apparently, these two foods were animal feed and the only crops left after lands were pillaged during the Civil War. Fortunately, these two foods are also packed rich in nutrients like fiber and antioxidants/anti-inflammatory compounds that helped Southern troops survive the pillaging.
You get wealth AND health with those greens! One cup of kale contains about 40 calories, 5 grams of fiber, and provides you with tons of vitamins and minerals. You get about 15% of your daily requirement of calcium and vitamin B6 in 1 cup of this leafy, green veg. You also snag over 100% of vitamin A, 200% of vitamin C, and 1,000% of vitamin K. You also get minerals like copper, potassium, iron, manganese, and phosphorus. GIMME THAT 1 CUP OF WEALTH AND HEALTH!
(First attempt in lab at this Kale Recipe)
Black eyed peas are a pretty penny too when it comes to health.
They are a great source of magnesium, iron, folate and protein. In 1/2 cup of these, you get about 100 calories, 7 grams of protein, 8 grams of fiber and about 12% of both Iron and Thiamin. Thiamin is a B- vitamin and plays a big role in metabolic processes, which I love to study.
So as I said before, most Southerners agree that it isn’t right until you add a ham hock or some fat back. But around here, I like to do things a little bit healthier.
( Just Say No to Fat Back and Ham Hocks!)
Onto the Recipes!
If you have followed me for a few years, you have seen this recipe during my Food Service Management Lab. For the new years event, I used as much Kale as I could purchase in Bethesda Maryland on New Years Eve, which means about 4 (smallish) bags- approximately 2 pounds.
Sauteed Greens
Ingredients:
Kale (2-3 lbs) ( yes you can substitute other greens if you like)
Shallots (2 bulbs)
Olive Oil (1/4 cup)
Garlic (1 + cloves)
Capers (2-3 Tbsp)
Lemon Juice *
Prep:
Bring large pot of salted water to a boil. Add Kale (cleaned) and boil for approximately 4 minutes. Bring a nonstick skillet ( as big as you got!) to medium heat, saute 2 chopped shallots, 1/4 cup olive oil, and 1 clove of minced garlic. When the kitchen starts smelling delightful, add in capers ( 3 Tbsp). About now should be 4 minutes, drain the boiled kale in a colander. Toss the drained Kale into the (big) skillet and saute everything for another 5 minutes or so. I add a secret ingredient of lemon juice ( about 1 Tbsp but really I just squirt to taste) and also salt and pepper to taste.
Black Eyed Coins
Ingredients:
Black Eyed Peas ( I used 2 containers of fresh black eyed peas, locally grown in NC)
Bacon (4 slices)
Prep:
Fry up 4 slices of Bacon in a sauce pot. Yes, a sauce pot and about 3 quart size ( I used a 3 quart pot to make enough for 13 people). No need to add anything but the bacon slices. When crispy, chop the bacon into pieces. Add black eyed peas and enough water to cover the peas. Boil for approximately 25 minutes. Serve with a slotted spoon
Everyone tried both of these, mostly because they want the luck and the fortune, and I can’t blame them. Everyone did pay us quite a few compliments though! This year was a gathering of family and friends, a gathering of grateful hearts, and the beginning of a new (Southern) tradition!
Happy New Year to All!
