And don’t forget to soak your black eyed peas tonight, so you can make them for luck in the new year!*

I love Black Eyed Peas… they are healthy, tasty, and generally kid friendly… Growing up my mom made Hoppin’ John for New Years Day — Black Eyed Peas over rice, topped with onion. So I figured I’d share this VERY easy recipe with you for New Years Day. Plan ahead, because it takes an hour to cook. This recipe can be easily halved or doubled, too!

Hoppin’ John

• 1 lb black eyed peas, soaked
• 1 c chopped celery
• 1 c chopped onion
• 2 tsp red pepper flakes
• Ham hocks, or hambone and left over ham from your holiday ham. (Or approx 1-2 cups large ham chunks)
• 1.5 tsp salt (add later and taste first if using smoked hamhocks, as they have a bit of salt in them)
• Optional – a few shakes of Tabasco.

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Serve with hot cooked rice & chopped onion or chopped green onion

Put everything above the line in a large pot, and barely cover with water.
Bring to a boil, then turn low and simmer 1 hour.

(While it’s cooking, go ahead and prepare your rice, and chop up some onions or green onions to sprinkle on top.)

Serve over rice, with onions & Tabasco!

*If you forgot, don’t worry, there’s usually a ‘quick soak’ method on the bag.

So everyone have fun and everyone be safe tonight!

Oh, and tonight when you’re sipping your champagne, be sure to save those champagne corks and wires. (Make a Tiny chair!)

Happy 2010 Everyone!

xxoo
Dot