Happy New Year 2010!

Wishing You and Yours a Prosperous, Healthy and Happy New Year!

There are many traditions regarding the consumption of various foods to bring in luck, happiness and prosperity to families all over the World. Everyone wants a little New Year’s Good Luck!

In the South, it is said that you must eat Greens, Black Eyed Peas and Cornbread on New Year’s Day to be prosperous and successful throughout the year. each item is symbolic for a certain part of your everyday life. The Collard or Mustard Greens symbolize ‘greenbacks’ or ‘folding money’, the Cornbread because of its’ golden color represents “gold” as in gold and coin money and Black Eyed Peas ,also known as Cow Peas, for general Good Luck. Some cook a Rice and Black Eyed Peas dish called “Hoppin’ John” and serve it with baked Ham. While I am not partial to Hoppin’ John, it has been a tradition in my family for years to eat the Black Eyed Peas, Greens, Cornbread and with the addition of Fried Okra on New Year’s Day. These dishes can be prepared in many different ways. You may find recipes by searching the Internet or asking an Elder in the Church or neighborhood.

One of my favorite ways to make collard greens is to make sure I cut all the white vein out of the leaf (tends to make it bitter to the taste) and chop the leaves in bite sized pieces. Then I take a clove of garlic and mince it up. I get out my large wok, put some olive oil in it, drop in the greens and flash stir fry them, add the garlic, salt and pepper and its all done in about 15 minute from start to finish!

Here is a link to a great article about ‘Lucky” foods (and also unlucky foods to eat), along with their recipes from www.epicurious.com. Click here to read on…

Now, if you cannot get a hold of fresh Collard or Mustard Greens in the winter, you can always search for the Glory Foods Brand in your local supermarket. I usually find it in the Specialty Food section of the store. Click here to get great recipes and make sure to sign up for their e-mails.

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