Couple things you might not know …
One — I grew up in the South.
The deep South.
I’m talking deep, deep South.
Two — On New Years Day in the South, you eat Black Eyed Peas and Collard Greens.
You just do.
It’s a long-standing, deep-rooted Southern superstitious tradition and you know how we are about our traditions. Every year on New Years Day the house would fill with the pungent aroma of vinegar and collard greens boiling in a big pot on the stove.
As a child, I hated it. A teen, I tolerated it and as an adult I really don’t mind it all that much. Somehow that smell, and those flavors just taste like home to me now.
BUT … that isn’t the case for my family. One born on the West coast, two in Germany and my baby here in Texas. Those smells don’t just seem foreign to them, they can seem down right offensive.
So what’s a girl with deep-seated superstitious family traditions to do who needs to eat her Black Eyed Peas and Collard Greens on New Years Day to make sure she has a great year ahead and still let her family enjoy the process?
Well, you find new ways. Scour the inter webs. Discover new and exciting fresh ways to make old family favorites and guys, I have to tell you Black Eyed Peas are about to have their hay day! Just look at all the amazing black eyed pea recipes I found.
They used to be something we ate once a year, but I have a feeling these Black Eyed Peas recipes will be in regular rotation around here this year!
Let’s kick things off with a stunning dish, Black Eyed Pea Sweet Potato Cornbread Pot Pie. Wow, I bet this one is amazing. Whoever try it first, you gotta report back!
Just not feeling the whole Black Eyed Pea vibe? No worries, I get ya. Why not start off by introducing your taste buds to these tiny legumes via some killer apps. Everything tastes good on a chip or pita right? You can go the black eyed pea humus route or a more sinful cheesy, hot black eyed pea dip. Or go way out on a limb and roast them like chickpeas, chili-roasted black eyed peas. Any of these would be welcome additions to your Super Bowl spread I’m sure.
I’m a huge fan of one pot wonders and casserole meals for my family, this Tex Mex Style Black Eyed Pea Casserole would be a great weeknight meal and I bet it would freeze well too.
Anyone out there do meatless Mondays? It’s a great way to cut back on your red meat intake and also slash your grocery bill. These vegan black eyed pea sloppy joes would make a great meal for your first meatless Monday.
Here’s a way I never would have thought to try black eyes peas, Korean style! But this Black Eyed Peas and Kale bowl has me excited to give it a go.
Did you know January is National Soup month? Me neither. Seems we have a month, week or day for anything, but I’m ok with this one cause this girl loves soups!! So much so, I’m gonna hit you with a whole round up of them here pretty soon, but in the meantime a couple black eyed pea soup recipes to tide you over.
– Maebell’s Cabbage Black Eyed Pea Soup (way tastier than it sounds)
– Minestrone Soup w/ Collard Greens and Black Eyed Peas (this would make a great dish for New Years Day!!)
and while we’re talking soups, ever thought about using black eyes peas in chilis or stews? Yeah, me neither but I’m gonna try it!! I usually stick to smaller black beans or northern beans anyway so black eyed peas would make a great swap or addition to our meals.
I’m digging the sound of this black eyed pea chili with quinoa and corn, and this greek-style black eyed pea stew.
Traditionally, you’d eat black eyed peas hopping john style or just in a great big pot on the stove most likely with the Christmas ham hock simmering in it but here are some new ways to season your pot of beans.
– Creole Black Eyed Peas
– Curried Black Eyed Peas
– Barbecued Black Eyed Peas
– Black Eyed Peas with Coconut Milk and Ethiopian Spices
Why not start the New Year with something fresh and healthy, like this African Black Eyed Pea Salad.
The recipe I am probably most excited to try? Kale and Black Eyed Peas w/ Smoky Grits. Throw in a couple garlicky shrimp and I’d be in heaven!
The dish I’m making today? Black Eyed Pea Cheesy Sausage Cornbread and probably some vegetable soup to go with it cause I was lazy and didn’t make it to buy collarads … ahhh, there goes my shot at getting rich this year! Oh well, I’m feeling luck already and the black eyed peas will make sure I stay that way.
Happy New Year friends!!
Got a favorite way to enjoy Black Eyed Peas in your home?
We’d love to hear it! Leave a comment, a photo, a link or hit me on social to let me know your favorite black eyed pea recipe.
Want to know mine? Might seem strange, but I love mine with bacon, onions and a little Heinz 57 sauce … mmm, home. But that buttery grits version up there …. you better believe that’s high on my list. We can talk about being southern and my love for grits another day. :)
The post 19 unexpected black eyed pea recipes for New Years or any day appeared first on Kids Stuff World.
