Every year on New Year’s Day, I make food that represents good luck throughout the year. I just feel good knowing that I started my year in a lucky way. There are many traditional foods that have been said to bring good luck if you eat them on New Year’s Day. In Asian country’s, in is customary to eat long noodles, as this signifies a long life. The secret is to eat the noodles without breaking them.
In some country’s, eating lentils is said to bring good luck because they resemble coins which represent wealth.
The many seeds of a pomegranate are said to bring good luck because they too represent prosperity.
Fish are considered good luck because they swim forward, signifying progress in the new year.
Pigs are root forward when getting food, so that is why pork is considered lucky food on New Year’s Day.
Cooked greens look like money and are believed to bring money in the new year.
And black eye peas are famous for New Years because they too look like little coins. And that’s what I will be making today.
I saw this recipe for a black eye pea stir fry in fitness magazine last year that used Canadian bacon, but I’m going to try this dish with good old bacon and an addition of cabbage to represent the greens.
It is always good to start the new year right, so here we go!
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 pound on chopped bacon
About 1 cup chopped cabbage
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 cup sliced celery
1 14-ounce can black eye peas, rinsed and drained
1/4 teaspoon salt
Ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
I begin by placing oil, onion, garlic and red pepper flakes in a large skillet, and cook for 10 seconds just to combine. Add bacon, celery and cabbage and cook
3-4 minutes or until bacon browns a bit and cabbage is tender/crisp.
Add black eye peas, rice, salt and a sprinkle of black pepper and stir to combine. Cook until rice is heated through, about 2-3 minutes. Top with a sprinkle of parsley, serve and enjoy!
Along with this recipe, I wish you all a very happy, healthy and prosperous new year!
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