NEW YEARS MENU

Black-eyed Pea JambalayaMakes 10 to 12 servings

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 pound smoked sausage, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch slices
1/2 pound cubed ham
1 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup chopped green bell peppers
2 (15-ounce) cans black-eyed peas with jalapenos
1 (14-ounce) can beef broth
Salt and cayenne to taste
8 cups cooked rice
1/4 cup chopped green onions

Heat oil in large, heavy pot over medium heat. Add sausage, ham, onions and bell peppers. Cook, stirring, until the vegetables are golden, about 8 minutes. Add the peas and beef broth and reduce the heat to medium-low. Season with salt and cayenne. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour.
Add the rice, a little at a time, and gently stir to mix. The mixture should be moist but not soggy. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the green onions and serve warm.

Mama's Glorified Cabbage
Makes about 8 servings

1 large cabbage head, cored and chopped
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onions
1/2 cup chopped green bell peppers
1/4 cup chopped celery
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
4 slices white bread, toasted, soaked in a little milk, and then squeezed dry
1/2 pint heavy cream
1 stick butter
Salt and cayenne to taste
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves
1/2 pound mild Cheddar cheese, grated
1/4 cup dried fine breadcrumbs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Boil cabbage in water until just tender. Drain and set aside. Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onions, bell peppers, celery and garlic. Cook, stirring, until soft and lightly golden, 6 to 8 minutes. Add cabbage and reduce heat to medium-low and cook, covered, until very tender, about 10 minutes. Tear bread slices into bits and add to pot. Add cream and butter and cook, stirring to mix, until the butter is melted, about five minutes. Season with salt and cayenne. Add parsley and stir to mix. Transfer the mixture to a large casserole dish. Sprinkle evenly with cheese and breadcrumbs.

Bake until bubbly and hot, 20 to 30 minutes.

I remember hearing that forever is two people and a ham, so be aware that you'll have left-over ham with which to make sandwiches, ham salad and of course, some kind of bean or pea soup.

Baked HamMakes 10 to 12 servings
1 bone-in ham, 8 to 10 pounds
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
3 teaspoons dry mustard
1 cup cooking sherry, cola or pineapple juice

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Trim off excess fat. Score ham's surface into diamond-shaped pattern. Combine sugar and dry mustard and stir to blend, and then rub the mixture over ham. Wrap ham loosely in foil and pour in whatever liquid you choose. Close the foil and bake for 20 minutes per pound.
Remove from oven and unwrap the ham. Let it sit for a few minutes before slicing to serve.
Bonne Année!

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."

SMOTHERED CABBAGE

Smothered Cabbage

1/4 cup vegetable oil

3/4 pound salt meat, trimmed, cut into 1-inch cubes, boiled in enough water to cover for 30 minutes, and drained

1 head white cabbage (about 2 pounds), cored and coarsely chopped

1 cup chopped yellow onions

1 cup water

1 tablespoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon TABASCO® brand Original Red Sauce

Heat the oil in a large, heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the salt meat and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the cabbage, onions, and water; stir to mix, cover and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes.

Add the sugar, salt, black pepper, and TABASCO® Sauce, and stir to mix. Cover and cook, stirring often, for 30 minutes longer. Serve hot.

Makes 4 to 6 servings

According to local tradition, you must eat cabbage on New Year's Day if you want to be wealthy. Sometimes the cabbage is made into coleslaw, but more often than not, the favored dish is smothered cabbage.