Black Eyed Peas

Made Black Eyed Peas and Collard Greens in the hopes of luck and prosperity in the New Year. Didn't have a recipe, so I want to type up what I did so I can repeat it. I got a "Wow this is GOOD Mom! Thank YOU!" from Galileo. I think my luck is all ready changing if the pickiest kid in the world can thank me for my cooking.

1 (16 oz) bag Black Eyed Peas ( I got the last black eyed peas in the whole store!)
Water
Kielbasa
Sweet Onion
Garlic
Thyme
dash red pepper
chicken broth
2 Bay Leaves.

1) Boil water. Rinse and pick over black eyed peas.
2) Place black eyed peas in boiling water for 4 minutes. Cover tightly and turn off heat. Let sit for an hour.
3) Slice and Sautee Keilbasa. Remove to large soup pot.
4) Chop onion and sautee in Keilbasa fat. Add minced Garlic, thyme, and red pepper.
5) Drain Black Eyed Peas and add to soup pot with Keilbasa.
6) Cover with Chicken Broth
7) Add Onion and spice mixture and Bay leaves.
8) Simmer for ~ 1 hour
9) Serve with Brown Rice, collard Greens and corn muffins

I didn't care for the collard greens much and neither did the boys, but Craig loved them.

I just sauteed onion, chives, a few jarred pimiento peppers garlic and a touch of tobasco in Bacon Fat. Added the collard greens. Added a little of the broth from the Black Eyed Peas above to steam. Threw in some apple cider vinegar and brown sugar and just cooked the life out of them. When they were dark green, I turned off the heat and left them covered to wait for the other things to finish cooking.

I'm proud of myself for creating something new and yummy and I think this will be a New Year's Tradition in this house now. Sitting down to a nice home cooked meal was a nice way to wrap up this school vacation. Now, time to sort clothes, clean the kitchen, pack lunches etc.

Happy New Year!!!