A. Soup. A. Week. Black Eyed Peas for Prosperity in the New Year

Eating black eyed peas and greens for luck and prosperity on the New Year’s day is a tradition in the Southeast. Keeping with the southern tradition, here’s this week’s A. Soup. A. Week made with black eyed peas for prosperity, kale (greens for luck and wealth), peppers (my substitute for pork to represent positive motion).

Ingredients:
1 cup black eyed peas
1 cup greens (kale or mustard greens)
1 cup try-colored peppers chopped (or sliced)
2 celery sticks chopped
1/2 onion chopped
2 garlic cloves minced
2 medium tomatoes
6-8 cherry tomatoes sliced in half
2 tbsp chipotle hot sauce
a few pepper flakes
salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp olive oil

If using raw, dry black eyed peas, soak in water overnight or for at least 8 hours.

Heat the oil in a large pan. Add chopped onions, garlic, peppers and celery and fry lightly for 3-4 minutes. Meanwhile blend the tomatoes in a food processor. Add the blended tomatoes to the pan. Rinse and add black eyed peas. Add salt and bring to a boil. Reduce flame to low and continue cooking for about 90 minutes.

Add chopped greens, sliced cherry tomatoes, red pepper flakes, chipotle sauce and fresh ground black pepper and continue simmering for an additional 30 minutes.

Garnish with some spring onions and serve warm with a piece of rustic artisan bread. Delicious!

I am glad 2012 is done. A healthy dose of luck, positive motion and prosperity must amount to something… Here’s hoping for a better 2013!