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New Year's Back Eyed Peas, Greens, & Fried Okra Bites


Growing up down here in the South, this was always one of my favorite holiday meals that my momma made.  Now, it is one of my favorite meals to make and it was a great way to kickoff this blog and 2018.

Southerners superstitiously eat black eyed peas and collard greens each New Year's.  The black eyed peas are for good luck in the New Year and the collards are supposed to bring money/prosperity in the New Year.  While that part of the tradition is fairly well known, the origin and its tie to the Civil War may not be as well known.  Popular legend has that on their march from Atlanta to Savannah and then up into the Carolinas, General William Tecumseh Sherman and his men went through setting fire to and looting from whatever Southern farms that they came into contact with.  The only thing that the Union troops left were the black eyed peas and collards because the troops thought that those items were feed for livestock.  150 or so years later it is the staple that kicks off the new year down South.

Here's how I put together this year's version:

Black Eyed Peas:
1 lb. packaged dry black eyed peas
Water
Onion
(3) Bacon slices
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
Instant White Rice

Cover the black eyed peas with water and soak overnight.  In the morning, drain the water from the black eyed peas, rinse them and recover them with water.  Add the bacon and onion.  Cook on HIGH for a minimum of (7) hours or until the black eyed peas have softened.  Serve over prepared white rice.

Collard Greens:
1 package frozen collard greens
Onion
Bacon grease or slices of bacon
Texas Pete Hot Sauce (optional)

Cook the collard greens according to the directions on the package.  Add in the bacon grease and onion while the collard greens are simmering.  Serve with a little hot sauce.

Fried Okra Bites:
Originally from Plain Chicken

 1 cup thinly sliced okra (or cooked frozen okra)
3/4 cup self-rising cornmeal flour
3/4 cup buttermilk*
2 tbs. vegetable oil
1 cup cheddar cheese

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.  Combine all of the ingredients into a mixing bowl.  Spoon the mixture into greased muffin tins.  Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes.

*Momma says...

 If you don't have any buttermilk handy, just add a squirt or two of lemon juice to your regular milk and it'll do the trick

-------

I hope that everyone has had a great New Year's and doesn't stay up too late enjoying the Sugar Bowl (especially those of us who work tomorrow).  If you have any questions/comments, feel free to leave them below.  Stay stuntin'!

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