I may not be superstitious, but I’m all about having good luck – especially when it comes to ringing in the New Year. Turns out there are a variety of foods that are believed to be lucky and to improve the odds that your next year will be a great one if eaten on New Years Day. Good luck and prosperity for 2011 – yes please!
Most cultures have their own spin on what foods will indeed bring luck. The southern tradition of greens, black-eyed peas and pork tends to resonate with me (despite that fact that some don’t believe VA is part of the south).
Today I have a delicious recipe to share with you that includes three major good luck foods. And, best of all – it’s healthy and vegan!!
- Greens: This good-luck food is the color of money. Greens, such as kale, collards, and cabbage, are traditionally eaten on New Year’s Day because of their association with wealth and economic prosperity.
- Black Eyed Peas: A common good luck food in the southern United States, black-eyed peas are thought to bring prosperity, their shape and abundance representing coins. Hoppin’ John is the classic Southern New Year’s dish.
- Pork (or Fakin’ Bacon in my case): As pigs root for food, they keep their feet planted and push their snouts forward, signifying progress and future prosperity.
Eat up as this meal is sure to bring the best of luck to you and yours for 2011!
Black Eyed Peas with Tomatoes and Greens (vegan)
Much thanks to Chef Jesse at my local Whole Foods for featuring this recipe at his cooking demo last year!
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 tbsp garlic, minced
- 1 package of smoky tempeh (LightLife Fakin’ Bacon), chopped
- 1 large bunch Lacinato (flat) kale, trimmed, leaves torn (any greens will work in this recipe)
- 2 (15 oz.) cans black eyed peas, drained and rinsed
- 1 (28 oz.) can stewed or roasted tomatoes
- sea salt and ground pepper to taste
Preparation:
Saute onions, garlic and tempeh in olive oil until tempeh is crispy and onions are soft, about 10 minutes. Add in greens and simmer until soft. Add in black eyed peas and stewed tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Add salt and pepper to taste. Eat as is, serve on top of a grain of some sort or make some homemade cornbread to go along with it. If you choose to make a grain, I’d do whole grain couscous or quinoa because they’re both quick and would be done in the same time it takes to cook the black eyed peas, tomatoes and greens. Enjoy!
This would be the perfect New Year’s dish, however it can be made anytime- it’s super easy to throw together and tastes awesome! Smoked tempeh is one of the only tempeh varieties that I really enjoy to make at home. It has a nice smoky flavor similar to that of real bacon and no bitter after taste.
Looking for other New Year’s Day recipes or good luck food ideas? Check out the following links:
- Epicurious – Lucky Foods for the New Year
- Delish – Good Luck New Years Food
- Fit Sugar – Foods that Bring Luck in the New Year
- Whole Foods Blog – Healthy Tip: Gamble on Good Luck Foods
Last but not least, happy New Years Eve!! What are your plans? We are having a few people over to celebrate, which is sure to be a blast. I’m excited! Gotta go get ready. 
Brittany Mullins, HHC
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
with that recipe you are SURE to bring in some good luck! love it– happy and healthy new year
Happy new year’s to you both, I hope you have a fabulous night!!
Hi! I was going to make that roasted garlic artichoke spread with fresh oregano from E,D & BV tonight for New Years Eve. I went to the site http://wegottaeat.com/mrhb114/recipes/roasted-garlic-artichoke-spread-with-fresh-oregano-eat-drink-be-vegan just now to print it out and it is down! Help! Do you have the recipe that you can copy/paste into an email for me?
YUUUM – that looks amazing!
Wish you an incredible NYE too, Brittany!
xoxo
This looks delicious! I just happen to have bought a bag of dry black-eyed peas yesterday. I think I know just how to use them now!
Looks delish!
The typical New Years Day dish here in Korea is Rice cake soup.
happy 2011 to you!! the recipe looks great and hope you’re having a fun night!
thank you for this! I just got up to find a recipe for black eyed peas for the new year!!!! this is it!
An abundance of black eyed peas means prosperity? Count me in! I love snacking on the little beans. Same thing with kale. Kale chips are SO delicious!
Happy New Year&&Have a lovely day! May your 2011 be filled with lots of good cheer.
xox
I have always debated the meaning behind New Year’s “lucky” foods. I’m so glad you clarified all of these.
Fakin’ bacon all the way! it weirds me out to have meet flavorings though
Smile. My mom’s family is from Louisiana so black eyed peas are a family tradition. I love what you did with this recipe though! I don’t eat bacon, and I can’t wait to try this with some tempeh! Thank you for sharing with me tonight. I hope you have a wonderful Sunday. Happy New Year!
I love the idea of a recipe for good luck! Happy New Year and I hope 2011 is a good one for you.