I make this every New Years Day. I don't use rice so it's not authentic Hoppin John, but is always good with the cold weather.

Ham Bone ( Or just smoked ham hock)
bag dried black eyed peas
onion
bay leaf

I cook this until the beans are tender. Then take the meat off the bone and put the meat back in pot. I add canned diced tomatoes and sliced kielbasa sausage. Just leave on the stove so you can eat it when you want. You could add whatever else you like in soup. Maybe carrots. Also, I have hot sauce to add after serving.

Carrie

Carrie, we've got the black-eyed peas and leftover ham bone all ready for the pot. My husband's mother was from the South and she raised him that if you ate black-eyed peas on NY's Day, your luck that year would be good... and if you didn't.... LOL???? Goes real good with corn bread and braised collard greens.

I like your idea of adding diced tomatoes -- I'm going to try adding a can of stewed tomatoes this year, after the beans are pretty well done. I also like your idea of just putting the pot on the stove for the afternoon.

Happy New Year!

Marlene

Marlene, stewed tomatoes sound good. Always put them in after the beans are soft, or they won't soften up. The cornbread sounds good. I think I will make that to go with it.

Carrie

Carrie,

You're right about the tomatoes -- best to add them after the beans are soft -- it's that acid thing.

Bill and I are (happily) home tonight alone for the New Year Eve, but tomorrow we'll visit friends to watch the Rose Bowl. Love the Pack-10, but Oregon Ducks are evil, LOL... so I'll be cheering for Ohio! (Oregon State fan here).

Happy New Year to ALL!

Boy, I feel really old tonight to think this is 2010. (Born in 1949).

Marlene

Ha ha. Thats who I will probably root for. Pac 10 hasn't done well in bowl games this year...except USC.

My sainted mother (as Maynard would say) fixed pork and sauerkraut every New Years because she said it would bring good luck. My grandmother did the same. Don't know if it works, but I have fixed pork and sauerkraut for the past 46 years on New Year's Day!

Carrie, I'm with you on that one! I would rather see USC in the Rose Bowl than Oregon-- they are mean and their fans are worse. So... I'm sticking to my guns and cheering for Ohio. The Pack-10 bowl games haven't been the best. I was so hoping Oregon State would win their bowl. I love the Rogers Brothers.

My black-eyed peas are rockin' in my 8 quart Le Cruiset Dutch Oven, and it is a NEW YEAR!!! wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee..... Time to prep the collard greens and watch some "Joe Pa" football. Go Penn State!

Gloria, after 46 years, I think you should stick to pork and kraut on New Years Day. You wouldn't want to break the good luck chain on year 47, LOL.

Happy New Year ..... Everyone!

Marlene