The Easy Way of Doing New Year's Black Eyed Peas

Because I live in the south (Arkansas) Black Eyed Peas on New Year's Day is a must. It's a tradition. One my family has done forever. It's supposed to bring you good luck. If you do it the right way it can be a lot of work. This is an easy way to make sure you get your good luck in that I've adjusted through the years. Since keeping up with this blog is one of my New Year's Resolutions, I thought this was a fitting first post. Also, you should know, I'm not a measurer. I kind of eyeball my measurements, so all my recipes are going to have "about" and "around" or "ish" on some of the measurements. You'll also start to likely notice, I love garlic.


Black-eyed Pea Soup

• 3 cans black eyed peas
• One package of chopped ham (again I do it the Easy Way, they have this in section with the Hot Dogs etc.)
• 1 can Rotel
• 1 14oz can Beef Broth
• 1 1/4 cup water
• About 2 teaspoons Cavender's Greek Seasoning
• One medium Yellow Onion chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• A smidge of Olive Oil
• Salt and Pepper to taste

1. Heat a little bit of olive oil in a decent sized pot. Add onion and sauté until softened. Then add garlic and cook for about 2 minutes. 

2. I like to add the ham in here, to kind of crisp it up a little, and let some of the fattiness cook off. I sauté it just enough to warm it. I salt and pepper it here too. 

3. Add everything else: the broth, water, rotel, peas, Cavender's.

4. Bring to a boil, then knock it down to simmer for 15 or 20 minutes. Sometimes I have to add a little more water here. Or maybe a little more salt and pepper depending on your tastes. 

*This makes about 4 servings. My husband and I each had big bowls, and had leftovers for lunch the next day.  

*On Bryce's dish scale (1-5, 5 being worst)  - It's scores a 1. His ideal, not a lot of dishes at all. 

This makes a flavorful soup, with a little bit of spice to help clear out that winter cold, and it's packed with a whole lot of luck.