GOOD LUCK BLACK-EYED PEAS

Good Luck Black-Eyed Peas

1 pound fresh or dried black-eyed peas, rinsed and picked over

1 cup chopped yellow onions

2 whole garlic cloves, peeled

1 quart water, or more as needed

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon TABASCO® brand Original Red Sauce

1/2 pound smoked sausage or smoked ham, chopped

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves

1/2 cup chopped green onions (green and white parts)

Hot cooked long-grain white rice

Combine the peas, onions, garlic, water, salt, black pepper, TABASCO® Sauce, and sausage in a large, heavy pot or Dutch oven. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the peas are tender and creamy, 45 minutes for fresh peas and about 2 hours for dried.

Stir in the parsley and green onions and cook for about 2 minutes longer. Serve either over hot cooked rice or mix together with it.

Makes 6 servings

"Eating black-eyed peas on New Year's Day is said to bring you good luck in the coming year, so we eat as many as we can," says Eula Mae. "When I can, I use fresh black-eyed peas, but you can also use dried ones. Now, remember, this has to cook long and slow. You want the final result to be creamy and seasoned just right."