I'm not going to start out this year with brand new "New Years Eve resolutions for 2011" (last year's resolutions were never really met), instead of looking back at the past with rose colored glasses. I admit, I do so often tend to do just that -- look at everything with rose colored glasses. Let's clean our slate, we have a fresh year to look forward to, therefore I want to only look FORWARD and move FORWARD this year.
I have mixed the Southwest tradition of Tamales on New Year's eve with the deep southern tradition of Black Eyed Peas and am attaching a photo of the end product. Here in the deep south of Alabama, amidst the old southern charm, lace curtains, conservative thoughts, attire and elegant homes there are many ways to do things the right way, the southern way. There are new "southern" traditions to become aware of, traditions long kept and steeped in the southern people. Some of these "beliefs" could be misconstrued as "superstitions". I write about my thoughts of eating collard greens ( representing money), greens and cornbread ("mad" money or money for your pockets) and eating 365 black eyed peas (one black eyed pea for every day of year to bring good luck, wealth and prosperity everyday of the year) on New Year's day. Hoppin John is the Black Eyed Pea recipe I speak of, many folks down here in the south have old family recipes, some eaten with white rice, some folks eat Black Eyed Peas without rice. But there is one staple - the recipe for Black Eyed Peas has onions, thyme, chopped ham or a pork meat (sausage) of some type to give the black eyed peas another layer of flavor.
Here is to mixing Hispanic traditions with Southern traditions, Green Chile Serrano Chicken Tamales with Black Eyed Peas. If I have to eat Black Eyed Peas -- I'm sure gonna make them taste extra special good and add some good hot serrano peppers and a couple of bay leafs and cook until they are very tender.
So, here's to wishing everyone a Happy New Year for 2011!
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