Happy New Year and welcome to 2018!
Our day one meal is steeped in southern traditions.
I was born in the south so therefore there are times some of my southerness will come out in my cooking.
Our New Years Day meal was always the same: ham with black eyed peas, collard greens, rice, tomato gravy and corn bread. Since I have been married and have a family of my own this has been our tradition for the last 24 years.
One other tradition my mother had was laundry was not allowed to be washed on January 1st, because it would bring bad luck. I do not believe in luck but I do enjoy a day off from laundry. Due to the size of my family and the crazy amount of laundry I have to wash, it has always been a tradition I embrace.
I am a huge fan of the electric pressure cooker and use mine several times a week and I will be utilizing it for Meal 1 of 365 meals.
Ham and Black Eyed Peas-The peas represent good luck and also some say coins.
1-large piece of ham-I freeze what was left from our Christmas meal
2-1lb bags of frozen black eyed peas
1-tsp salt
1/2-tsp black pepper
2-cloves garlic
4-cups of water
Directions: put all of the above ingredients in the electric pressure cooker and cook on the soup or stew settting for 30 minutes. If you do not have a electric pressure cooker place all ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil then let simmer for 1 hour. Remember this is southern food, meaning we cook it to death and black eyed peas wouldn't taste very good crunchy.😉
I would cook approximately 2 cups of long grain rice. I prefer this to instant.
Tomato Gravy-has no meaning but we all love it.
4-8 oz cans of tomato sauce
1-15 oz can of diced tomatoes
4-Tbsp of bacon grease
4-Tbsp of all purpose flour
1-tsp salt
1/2-tsp pepper
Directions: melt bacon grease on a medium-high heat and add flour to skillet. Stir until the flour turns a golden brown and begin adding cans off tomato sauce and diced tomatoes. Be careful of steam. Let cook until it has a thickened consistency and remove from heat.
Collard Greens-represent money in the form of bills
This years will be coming out of a can do to the fact I live in Montana and I was unable to find any fresh or frozen. The Glory Foods Seasoned Southern Style Collard Greens will be gracing our table.
Corn Bread-represents pocket money or spending money
1-cup corn meal
1-cup all purpose flour
3/4-tsp salt
1-Tbsp baking powder
2-eggs
3/4-cup buttermilk
1/3-cup water
1/4-cup oil
Mix all dry ingredients, then stir in eggs, buttermilk and water. I prefer a cast iron skillet for cooking cornbread. Heat skillet of medium high heat and add half of the oil. Once the oil is hot, drop batter by 2 tablespoons. It will cook quickly so once you see bubbles flip them and remove as soon as both sides are golden. Some people prefer sugar in their cornbread. I don't but if you do add a couple of teaspoons.
