Happy New Year: Kent Finlay's Black Eyed Peas

[DaveD]

Howdy folks, some of you may remember my mentions of my foodie pal Jenni in Austin, who makes her killer Jenni In A Bottle rub and keeps me continuously supplied, bless her. She's also a pretty big deal in the Austin music scene, being the daughter of the legendary Kent Finlay, who is more or less the father of "outlaw country", having established the Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos TX, where that whole movement got its start. Notwithstanding her musical skill (child prodigy on fiddle), she went into the production and business side and is a pillar of the Americana scene. That's why this piece is in a music publication Enjoy, and may 2024 be a major upgrade from 2023 for us all

https://lonestarmusicmagazine.com/texas-cooking-kent-finlays-black-eyed-peas/

[Mosca]

I LOVE black eyed peas. I used to eat them every New Year’s Day… when I was single. It turns out Mrs Mosca doesn’t care for them. So every now and then I’ll get a can of them for myself, but I don’t go cooking them from dried like I used to. Except I just included a pound in my Rancho Gordo order, so we will see.

[LA Pork Butt]

She might go for Hoppin’ John Jambalaya.

[Michael_in_TX]

That looks like an interesting recipe. I may try it. A whole bag of whole okra, which dissolves over the cook.

[barelfly]

My wife bought some black eyed peas yesterday. In the 26yrs we have been together, never have we had BEP, although she use to eat them often growing up. So, I think Monday is when we are having them. I don’t know what we will do with them yet at this point, but I’ll have to read this recipe and see if it would work.

thanks for sharing1

[hoovarmin]

barelfly This is a very good recipe for Hoppin' John that Mosca mentioned. https://www.southernliving.com/recip...in-john-recipe

[barelfly]

Thank you both, Mosca and hoovarmin for the tips and recipes!

[Mosca]

The first time I made it was probably 40+ years ago, from a recipe, long lost of course; but I’ll always remember, there was no introduction, or description. Just the sentence, “Hoppin’ John on New Year’s Day brings good luck.” After that first time, I never measured anything, I never searched for ingredients; I used what I had, or added stuff I thought would be good. Point being, it was never the same twice, the only constants were what I wrote above: BEP, onions, rice, etc. Always delicious!

[hoovarmin]

The bag of frozen okra piques my interest in this recipe for sure. I won't veer from my usual Hoppin' John, but who says you can't make more than one pot of BEP's for extra luck in the new year? I just may give this one a whirl.

[smabrito]

We like to add a can of Rotel in a pot of black eyed peas

[acorgihouse]

Interesting, but I won't veer from my usual either. This is very similar to what I do anyway, being Tennessee raised I have salt pork on hand. Smoked hocks also, in the freezer. I use one, or the other, with the other ingredients you listed, except I cannot handle okra unless it is fried. Fried, absolutely. Otherwise, no.
I have dried BEP here on the counter, ready to cook later today, my only concession to "new way" is to use the IP. Tomorrow, will turn what's left into Hoppin' John, in the oven with rice, more onion, more garlic, and wing it from there. My mom physically required us to eat at least one bite every NY day, for luck, along with a bite of greens for money. I did my necessary bite, to keep out of trouble, but now I love them and eat sometimes for several days. Hasn't seemed to change my luck or money, thus far, but I hold out hope.