Awwww....the final post of 2011

I set out to blog more this year, and I think I did write more than in the past, but I'd still like to have a post a week in 2012. Today's a cloudy day, but warm for this time of year (5 degrees). I just finished cooking some soul food to welcome in the new year southern style. All ideas compliments of my cousin Kim and her husband Pete who grew up with good southern cooking.

Kim had written that the food she was preparing was symbolic for the new year blessings. There was black-eyes peas for good luck, cabbage for prosperity, and rice for abundance. I mixed it all together in the following recipe (which is dairy free and vegetarian):



Abundance Dish

one pound cabbage (1/2 a small head)
one can black-eyed peas (do not drain)
one bag of boil in the bag rice
one medium onion
1/2 cup or so of vegetable broth
tablespoon olive oil
spices to flavor

Cut up cabbage and steam. While that is steaming, boil up the rice. Chop onion, into fine pieces and fry in the olive oil. Add spices to the onion and oil mix. Open the can of black-eyed peas and DO NOT DRAIN. Add the peas to the onion mix and let everything come to a warm temperature.

Once the cabbage is steamed and is soft and easy to break with a fork, drain and add to the peas and onions. I like to chop mine somewhat smaller, so that the pieces aren't long and messy. After that cooks for a bit add the rice and the broth.

Simmer and season until it's to your liking.


I've also made some simple salmon in phyllo cups. Sounds hard, not at all! ;)

Happy New Year. Reflect and move forward, but keep friends and family near.