New Year’s Day is a time for reflection, new beginnings, and of course, delicious food. Whether you’re looking to set some healthy eating goals for the coming year or simply indulge in some traditional New Year’s Day fare, there are plenty of tasty options to choose from. Here are some of the best New Year’s Day recipes to help you start the year off right.
Black-Eyed Peas
One of the most traditional New Year’s Day foods is black-eyed peas. According to Southern folklore, eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day brings good luck and prosperity in the coming year. Whether or not you believe in luck, black-eyed peas are a delicious and nutritious food that can help kick start your healthy eating goals for the new year.
To make a classic pot of black-eyed peas, start by soaking 1 pound of dried black-eyed peas in water overnight. Drain and rinse the peas, then place them in a large pot with 8 cups of chicken or vegetable broth, 1 diced onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tablespoon of dried thyme. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 1-2 hours, or until the peas are tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve hot with cornbread or rice.
Collard Greens
Collard greens are another traditional Southern New Year’s Day food that symbolizes prosperity and good luck. They’re also a great source of vitamins A and C, calcium, and fiber. To make a pot of classic Southern-style collard greens, start by washing 2 bunches of collard greens and removing the tough stems. Roughly chop the leaves and set them aside.
In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook 6 slices of bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon and set it aside, reserving the bacon fat in the pot. Add 1 diced onion and 1 diced red bell pepper to the pot, and sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for another minute, then add the chopped collard greens to the pot. Stir to combine, then add 4 cups of chicken or vegetable broth and 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 1-2 hours, or until the collard greens are tender. Chop the cooked bacon and stir it into the collard greens before serving.
Hoppin’ John
Hoppin’ John is another classic Southern New Year’s Day dish made with black-eyed peas and rice. It’s often served with collard greens and cornbread for a complete and satisfying meal. To make Hoppin’ John, start by cooking 1 cup of long-grain white rice according to the package instructions.
In a large Dutch oven or pot, cook 4 slices of bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon and set it aside, reserving the bacon fat in the pot. Add 1 diced onion, 1 diced red bell pepper, and 2 minced garlic cloves to the pot, and sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. Add 1 can of black-eyed peas (drained and rinsed) to the pot, along with 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme, and 1/2 teaspoon of cumin. Stir to combine, then add 1/2 cup of chicken or vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the black-eyed peas are heated through and the liquid has reduced slightly.
To serve, place a scoop of rice onto a plate or bowl, then top with the black-eyed pea mixture. Crumble the cooked bacon over the top before serving.
In conclusion, whether you’re looking to set some healthy eating goals for the coming year or simply indulge in some traditional New Year’s Day fare, these recipes are sure to please. Enjoy the food, reflect on the past year, and look forward to all the good things to come in the new year. Happy New Year!