Only good things will await you if you just start your New Year's Day off right. At least that's what I was always told.
Growing up, I believed with all my heart that if I ate my Collard Greens on New Year's Day, I would attract wealth in the coming year. Green for the greenbacks our family cook would always remind me. Got to eat 'em. No two ways about it.
And, of course, I'd need to eat almost all of my Hoppin' John to ensure a year full of luck.
I admit that as a child I was not exactly enamored of either food but ate them I did. Who wants an unlucky year?
Cornbread? Well, of course. Got to have some gold on the plate, don't you? Besides, who doesn't love corn bread, especially when it's accompanying a serving of ham, some Hoppin' John, and well-cooked Collard Greens.
Today? Well, there's not a New Year's Day that goes by that I don't stick to the same tradition, no matter where in the world I may be on the day of renewal.
The funny thing is that, these days, I actually love the taste of Hoppin' John. And living as I do in an area with an abundance of organic greens, well, the collard greens just taste as good as any food could possibly taste. Love them.
My dad always cooked the Hoppin' John in our house and in his version, the field peas and rice were cooked together, in the ham hock broth the beans had been simmering in all morning. I'm not sure if that was really his mother's recipe or just his interpretation of it.
Me? I prepare them separately then toss them all together at the end, with a nice heavy hand of olive oil and peppers added to the mix. I like each of the grains of rice to glisten, reminding me of the glistening future ahead of me. Even as a traditionalist when it comes to food, I find that I have put my own touch on this tradition over time.
Why no recipe? Well, here's the thing. If you didn't soak your beans last night, it's already too late to think of preparing Hoppin' John. But don't worry. I always cook an extra big batch. After all, Hoppin' John and Collard Greens are meant to be shared, just like the luck they'll no doubt bring.
But I'm sure you have some traditions of your own to ensure a future of luck, fortune, and romance.
After all, the real secret is in the believing.
Of course, the black eyed peas here are cooking away, all the same. Because, you know, I do believe.
In luck. And the power of the bean.
