Image by jodigreen via Flickr
In the American South, people serve black-eyed peas and corn bread to bring good luck. Here is a recipe from the children’s cookbook, Cooking Around the Calendar with Kids: Holiday and Seasonal Food and Fun by Amy Houts that will get your New Year started right.
Amy suggests you soak the peas the night before.
Black-Eyed Peas
1 pound package dried black-eyed peas
1 ham hock
Children can place peas in a 4-quart pot; cover peas with water. Let set overnight. Drain water and cover with fresh water. Add the ham hock and bring to a boil. Turn down heat and let simmer, covered, for two to three hours, until peas are tender. Check occasionally and add additional water if necessary.
Adult will need to remove ham hock from pot. Separate the ham from the bones and fat. Put the ham back in the pot and discard the bones and fat. Serve in soup on the side.
Yield: 8 servings
Tomorrow I’ll send you Amy’s best Crusty Corn Bread.
Best to you,
P.S. For more information about Amy’s children’s book, go to http://www.imagesunlimitedpub.com
