Around the world, people eat different foods that are said to symbolize luck into the New Year.  For many, January 1 offers a new opportunity to forget the past and start fresh.  If 2014 didn’t go quite as planned, 2015 is another shot.  I don’t really make New Years resolutions, but I do reflect on my previous year, being thankful for all of the blessings in my life, and think about where I see my family and myself in the year to come.  I make lists about what I am thankful for from this year and my goals and hopes for the next year.

For 2015, most of my goals and hopes revolve around family, Mom’s Bistro and food and looks like this:  get Anthony involved in a sport this summer (since it’s too late in the season for hockey); learn how to perfectly filet a fish – Gordon Ramsay style; get a brand new computer;  start learning Italian; create an awesome new theme for Mom’s Bistro; find a new way to organize recipes and cookbooks.  What is on your list this year?  Resolutions or goals and wishes?

While you contemplate that, I will leave you with some lucky recipes for New Years Day.  Black Eyed Peas are a common luck south of the Mason Dixon line.  Like other legumes, Black Eyed Peas represent wealth because they look like coins and they are said to bring prosperity in the new year because they swell when they are cooked.  Black Eyed Peas are typically served with greens, which represent money, and cornbread, which represents gold.  Why not increase your chances of a good year by trying some this Easy Black Eyed Pea, Kale, Quinoa and Bacon Pilaf recipe for the best year ever!

Easy Black Eyed Pea, Kale, Quinoa and Bacon Pilaf Recipe

Ingredients:

6 slices bacon, cut into 1/2″ pieces
1 bunch kale, stemmed and finely chopped
1/2 yellow onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup quinoa
1 1/2 cups homemade chicken stock
1, 15oz can black eyed peas
green onion, optional for garnish
lemon zest, optional for garnish

Directions:

1. In a medium sauce pot combine quinoa, black eyed peas and chicken stock.  Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer, cover and cook for about 15 minutes.
2. Remove from heat, remove the lid, stir with a fork.  Put the lid back on and allow to sit for about 5 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, in a large non-stick skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil.
4. Add onion and cook until just translucent – about 8 minutes
5. Add bacon and cook until just starting to get crispy – about 8 more minutes.
6. Add kale, and stir until the kale has all wilted.
7. Turn down the heat and cook for 8-10 minutes until the kale is tender, and bacon is crispy.  Be sure not to over crowd your pan with the kale or the bacon will get soggy.
8. Add quinoa and black eyed pea mixture, and stir until combined.
9. Serve immediately.  Optionally, you can top with lemon zest and the green part of a green onion finely minced.

What Not To Eat!

Here are a few superstitions about what not to eat on New Years.  Lobster, for example is a bad luck food because lobsters swim backwards, so that could lead to set backs in life.  Chickens also stretch backwards, so stay away from chicken too.  Some folks even say to stay away from all winged fowl because good luck could just up and fly away!

Who couldn’t use a little more fortune and luck this year?  Here is to hoping the start of your 2015 is full of luck and prosperity and good fortune finds its way to you!