I would not call myself completely superstitious but I think it folly to ignore the potential to rack up good luck for an entire year, especially when through delicious means. Last year at this time I shared a recipe for Hoppin’ John, a traditional dish in the U.S. South believed to predisposition one for good fortune if eaten first thing in the new year. It is a delicious, hearty dish I’d gladly eat every morning. Featuring the beans, rice, some spicy flavor and pork, one is lucky merely to get to eat it for breakfast; any additional good luck is upside.
The key ingredient for the luck is the black eyed peas. The roots of black eyed peas (which are really beans) in the U.S. are believed to trace back to Africa, arriving on American soil via slaves.
I’ve made this dish with each dried black eyed peas that I’ve cooked until tender separately before adding, and with canned black eyed peas. For taste and texture each are equivalent. The canned organic black eyed peas (seen in the photo above) I used appear a bit darker as they contained kombu seaweed. The seaweed adds no taste but addresses the ‘digestive distress’ often accompanying beans. I use it in every ‘from scratch’ bean dish I make and remove it before serving.
As much as I love Hoppin’ John, I love to mix it up annually, still securing my best chance at ‘luck’ for the upcoming year. Another favorite New Year’s morning dish at my house is one from Tanzania: Coconut Black Eyed Pea Soup. It also offers the hearty combination of beans and rice (which form to make a complete protein by the way) but it also features curry and coconut for a full bodied, delicious soup anytime. It’s simple and quick to make and perfect for the chill of the season.
Recipe
Coconut Black Eyed Pea Soup
The original roots of this soup are Tanzanian. It is a wonderful mix of coconut and curry flavors, sweet and salty.The traditional recipe for this soup calls for green pepper though I prefer red pepper both for the look and sweetness. I have always used canned organic unsweetened coconut milk (be sure not use coconut cream or sweetened coconut milk). True confession? I rarely buy fresh tomatoes out of season due to their lack of flavor. I do think the structure of a fresh tomato lends itself to this recipe better than home canned tomatoes however.
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Servings: 8 -10 servings
Calories: 312kcal
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup yellow onions , chopped
- ½ cup green or red pepper , finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup fresh tomato , chopped into small pieces (approximately ½ inch)
- 2 ½ cups black eyed peas (canned, drained or dried, soaked and cooked until tender before adding)
- 2 cups unsweetened coconut milk
- A large pinch of sugar
- 3 cups water
- ¾ cups rice , cooked
- Optional garnish: Grated coconut and julienned red pepper
Instructions
- In a large stock pot, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Once melted add the onion, pepper, curry powder, salt and pepper. Sautee for 2-3 minutes until well combined and vegetables begin to soften.
- Add chopped tomato. Continue to sauté for two more minutes.
- Add black eyed peas, coconut milk, sugar and water. Stir to combine and bring to a low simmer. Simmer about 15 minutes.
- Add rice and taste for additional seasoning. Note: I usually add a bit more salt and pepper at this point. Garnish if desired and serve!
Notes
I have not used the coconut milk one can find in the ‘dairy’ case now nor made my own; here is a link to make your own.
Nutrition
Calories: 312kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 309mg | Potassium: 405mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 585IU | Vitamin C: 17.1mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 2.6mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!
Don’t Forget: for luck, eat a bit the very first thing on the New Year! Whether it be at 12:01 a.m. or when you get up!
More Boulder Locavore ‘lucky’ New Year’s options:
Hoppin’ John (and a list of International Lucky Foods for the New Year)
rosemarried says
This soup sounds incredible. Such a wonderful and interesting combination of ingredients, and the perfect way to ring in the new year. Also, I must admit I'm jealous of your little Les Creuset dishware. I have a few pieces in that color, and I looooove them. 🙂
Kiri W. says
Wow, interesting! I've only had New Year's black eyes peas in a slow cooker chili kind of way (I'm not American and we don't have these for New Year in Germany), but a coconut soups sounds fantastic!
Cake Duchess says
Love this version of your black eyed pea soup. I love coconut in any thing. Happy New Year, Toni:)xx
bananamondaes says
This soup looks divine. Pork, beans, rice and coconut – delicious – all my favourite things. Thanks for posting this – I now have something to cook for my relatives – as I was running out of ideas 🙂
Lizzy Do says
Gorgeous (like everything you make!)…and the perfect New Year's soup! I love what coconut milk does to soup…mmmmmmm.
Kirsten@My German Kitchen...in the Rockies says
Dear Toni, My very best wishes to you and your family for the year 2012!
Kirsten
Love the little blue ramekins. They are gorgeous.
Maggie says
This looks amazing! I am adding this to my shopping list for Sunday. A great way to ring in the New Year. And Happy New Year to you!
thedustybaker.com says
GORGEOUS, stunning photo! This is the first time I've been made aware of such a tradition, and it's going on the good luck list along with eating 12 grapes at midnight 🙂 Happy New Year!
Eliotseats says
Really looks delicious. I usually try to make a “Healthier Hoppin' John” with chicken sausage but I might try this out! Happy New Year!
Cooking with Michele says
Yum! Happy New Year Toni!