A Feast Fit for the New Year!

2:08 PM | Labels: blackeyed peas, corn cakes, Fried Potatoes, hoppin john, New Year's Day, recipe

This year we stayed in for New Year's day. I cooked blackeyed peas, fried potatoes, corn on the cob, corn cakes, and brussel sprouts. It was all super yummy. I make some of the BEST fried potatoes you have ever eaten and this time was no different! The beans were really awesome and we ate them like a soup. Here are some pictures and some recipes :)

Happy New Year!

First put a pound of blackeyed peas in a pan and cover with water. Bring to a boil and turn off. Let soak for an hour or two.

Drain, rinse, and add 6 cups of fresh water to the beans and put back on the stove.

Bring to a boil, add 5 beef boulion cubes, a teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of black pepper. Add 1 chopped onion, and 4 thick slices of bacon.

Simmer over medium heat for 30 minutes to an hour, until soft but not mushy. Mine only took 30 minutes. Then add 1 can of stewed tomatoes, 1 can of diced tomatoes, 1 pound of sliced smoked sausage, and more salt and pepper if needed. You will have to taste it to find out :)

Simmer for another half hour or so, until everything is done. Remove bacon if desired. Serve hot as a soup or with rice.

For the Fried Potatoes:

Peel and slice thinly, 6 to 7 medium sized potatoes and one medium onion. In a deep heavy skillet, melt 3 to 4 tablespoons of shortening.

Next add, in layers sliced potatoes, onion, and salt and pepper. Add another layer of potatoes and onions and salt and pepper and so on until everything is in the skillet.

Cook over medium high heat, flipping gently, until potatoes are done and most have browned. Do not put a lid on them, they will steam and get smushy.

For the corncakes:

Mix 2 1/2 cups of self rising cornmeal with 2 eggs, a tablespoon of sugar, and enough milk to make a thick pancake like batter.Put enough oil in the bottom of a cast iron skillet to cover the bottom. When it is hot, drop a spoonful of the batter in the pan, you may have to spread it out a little, depending on how thick it is.