Does your family have a traditional New Year's Day meal? Mine does, for sure. Like many families across the southern U.S., we'll be tucking into a meal that includes pork, greens, cornbread, and black-eyed peas. Each of these items brings with it a superstition. It's a fun and tasty tradition and why would we want to mess with generations of superstition, anyway?
The pork is said to represent being forward thinking since a pig leads with its snout (As if there are tons of animals who don't travel facing forward...). The greens represent hard cold cash and the cornbread is meant to symbolize gold. Who wouldn't want some extra funds in the new year? The black-eyed peas bring luck and, in some households, you'll eat 365 of them to make sure you have good fortune each day of the year. My family doesn't go so far as to count out the black-eyed peas, but I'm always sure to eat a generous helping because I love them so much.
I tried out this recipe last year and have been holding on to it all this time to make sure I post it at just the right moment. Now that Christmas has past and we're all preparing for the next holiday, I figured you'd be ready for an easy and knock-your-socks-off good black-eyed pea recipe that requires little more of you than throwing the handful of ingredients into your trusty slow cooker. You know, so you have more time to relax, hang out with your family, and watch football...
Thought to bring good luck, black-eyed peas are a southern staple for New Year's Day. Don't miss out on your shot at good luck with this simple and satisfying slow cooker recipe.
Slow Cooker Black-Eyed Peas
adapted from Southern Bite
Ingredients:
1 (16 oz.) package dried black-eyed peas
6 c. chicken broth (I prefer low sodium)
1/2 tsp. salt, plus more to taste
1 small yellow onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, diced
1 TBSP fresh thyme
1 smoked ham hock
red pepper flakes, for serving
jalapeños, for serving
Directions:
1. Rinse the black-eyed peas and sort through them, discarding any ones that are discolored.
2. Place all ingredients except the ham hock in the slow cooker and stir to combine. Nestle the ham hock in the center and cook on low 8-10 hours or high 5-6 hours. Taste and adjust seasoning. Top, as desired, and enjoy for a prosperous and fortunate new year!
The pork is said to represent being forward thinking since a pig leads with its snout (As if there are tons of animals who don't travel facing forward...). The greens represent hard cold cash and the cornbread is meant to symbolize gold. Who wouldn't want some extra funds in the new year? The black-eyed peas bring luck and, in some households, you'll eat 365 of them to make sure you have good fortune each day of the year. My family doesn't go so far as to count out the black-eyed peas, but I'm always sure to eat a generous helping because I love them so much.
I tried out this recipe last year and have been holding on to it all this time to make sure I post it at just the right moment. Now that Christmas has past and we're all preparing for the next holiday, I figured you'd be ready for an easy and knock-your-socks-off good black-eyed pea recipe that requires little more of you than throwing the handful of ingredients into your trusty slow cooker. You know, so you have more time to relax, hang out with your family, and watch football...
Thought to bring good luck, black-eyed peas are a southern staple for New Year's Day. Don't miss out on your shot at good luck with this simple and satisfying slow cooker recipe.
Slow Cooker Black-Eyed Peas
adapted from Southern Bite
Ingredients:
1 (16 oz.) package dried black-eyed peas
6 c. chicken broth (I prefer low sodium)
1/2 tsp. salt, plus more to taste
1 small yellow onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, diced
1 TBSP fresh thyme
1 smoked ham hock
red pepper flakes, for serving
jalapeños, for serving
Directions:
1. Rinse the black-eyed peas and sort through them, discarding any ones that are discolored.
2. Place all ingredients except the ham hock in the slow cooker and stir to combine. Nestle the ham hock in the center and cook on low 8-10 hours or high 5-6 hours. Taste and adjust seasoning. Top, as desired, and enjoy for a prosperous and fortunate new year!