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.

__________________

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

Easy Peasy Instructions:
Slice up:
Tomatoes (If not the season for fresh, I like to use grape tomatoes)
Onions (Sweet, like Vidalia)
Cucumber

Put in bowl, and pour on seasoned Rice Vinegar about half way up the vegetables.
Add Salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil.

Toss together, and refrigerate for at least an hour, but overnight is perfect. Toss occasionally to make sure everything has time to marinate. (Alternately, you can marinate in a plastic bag.)

To make it a main dish, think about adding:

• Cannellini Beans (White Kidney Beans) + Chunks of mozzarella cheese
• Lime juice + either Tilapia or shrimp for a fabulous ceviche like dish

Make a big batch for a side for dinner tonight, then have it with one of the additions for lunch tomorrow!
Enjoy!

PS – Calling bloggers (or wanna be bloggers) who cook, for a upcoming top secret project. Email me if you think you might be interested in contributing to a food related group blog, and I’ll send you the details!