Happy New Year, everyone!!
(source)
Did anyone do anything SUPER fun to celebrate? We kept it pretty low-key around here, as usual. I started the day off by running 13 miles to ring in 2013! I haven’t ran more than 8 miles in probably a year, so it felt pretty darn good great. In the evening, the kids had sparkling white grape juice around the fire and we all played the game, Apples to Apples. Landen and I were the only ones that made it to midnight and I barely did.
I’m not a bit superstitious, but it’s still fun to play along! That’s right, New Year’s Eve I cooked up one of my favorite casserole dishes. We had to get in our black-eyed peas…you know, for prosperity for the new year. Brad was actually curious where the tradition to eat black-eyed peas for the new year came from. He found this site with info reporting that the whole tradition actually got started 1500 years ago.
- 1.5 cups dried black eyed peas, rinsed
- 5 slices bacon, cooked and diced (I used TJ’s turkey bacon.)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup chopped onion (about ½ medium onion)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1.5 cups brown rice, uncooked
- 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth (may need more to add to cooking beans and/or rice)
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground pepper
- 1 (10 oz.) can Ro-tel (tomatoes & green chilies)
- 3 cups fresh spinach, cut into strips
- grated cheese for sprinkling (optional) (I used a lite 3 cheese blend from TJ’s.)
- chopped cilantro, sour cream or sliced avocado (optional, for serving)
- Bring a medium pot of water to boil. Add the dried peas and boil for about 30 mins, or until tender (as tender as canned beans would be). While beans are boiling, you may need to add water or broth to keep them from burning on the bottom. Drain the peas when you’ve got them cooked like you want.
- In a deep medium skillet, heat olive oil at medium heat. Add onions and cook until tender, about 3 to 4 mins. Stir in garlic, rice, broth, cumin, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, lower heat to low medium and cover. Cook until rice is soft and of desired consistency. Brown rice takes about an hour. You may need to add water or broth while rice is cooking to keep it from burning on the bottom.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine rice, peas, tomatoes, spinach, and bacon in a large bowl. Transfer mixture into a 9 x 13 casserole dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Bake, uncovered, for 20 mins. Sprinkle grated cheese (optional) over the top and bake for an additional 10 mins, just until cheese is melted.
Something to think about….
How did you spend last night?
Do you have a new year’s resolution or goal?
Do you partake in the black-eyed pea new year’s tradition?
Enjoy the first day of a new year and I’ll see you back here tomorrow for WIAW!
My plan is to clean and organize all day….got to work on my resolution.
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This casserole looks so good! Love the flavor combination. I’m super impressed with your running distance. 13 miles is far!! Happy New Year to you and your family!
Danielle @ clean food creative fitness Paleo Gingerbread Pancakes
Oh yes–the black eyed peas have already been soaked and cooked–ready to go for tonight. I host a Good Luck Dinner on the 1st every year, and it’s one of my favorite traditions. I will be cooking pork tenderloin and sauerkraut in the crockpot, along with mashed potatoes, green beans and black eyed peas!
Michelle @ Eat Move Balance Ready to Learn a Bit About the Blogger??
That sounds like so much fun! What a great tradition!
If it makes you feel any better, I did not even make it until midnight last night!
I am so excited that you posted this recipe. I was just talking with my boyfriend the other day about how I did not think that I had ever eaten black eyed peas. This is perfect timing because now I am dying to cook with them. I cannot wait to try this (without the bacon..or possibly with vegetarian “bacon”). Thanks for sharing!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl Lightened-Up Eggplant Parmesan
You won’t miss the bacon or cheese. Let me know what you think!
My resolutions are all about strength. Physically I want to be able to do a single pull up. Emotionally I want to strengthen my relationship with my husband and children. Awesome job on the run! The most I’ve ever ran is about 5 miles
Kristen@Change of Pace Paleo Chili
Wow, those are great goals!!
I had a low key NYE also! I went to my aunt’s and uncle’s house for a few hours and came home to relax
My goals this year are to: stay organized, walk my dogs more often, complete a project 365 and eat healthier 
Happy New Years!
Brittany Peters Chocolate Chip Cake Batter Cookies
Sounds like great goals!
Your recipe looks great! I completely forgot about making black eyed peas for the new year.
Ashley Armstrong 2013
Thanks, Ashley!
haha my mom’s veryyy superstitious so we always eat our black eyed peas on new years!
Jess @ JessieBear What Will You Wear MIMM: Good Books Good Food
Yum! this looks good!