If you are a Moss, or live with a Moss, you know that New Years Day is not New Years Day without this. Yep. Black eyed peas, smoked ham hocks, and collard greens.
I'll be honest. We are not "greens" cooks. We don't quite know how to get them to that state of melt in your mouth goodness. But we keep working at it. Chris took on the challenge this year and came up with a winner.
With a side of corn bread this was some good eatin'. He took those ham hocks and collards and black eyed peas and made a bowl of pure new years day delicousness. He added a touch of sriracha to give it just that little bit of cajun kick.
Yes sir. I think Aunt Lois and Wilburn Ray and Aunt Ola and Aunt Bea would have all approved of our dinner last night.
I could feel them sitting there with us nodding their approval and smiling... and wondering what took me so long to learn about the goodness of collard greens.
I just can't get into Black-eyed peas, but I do love greens. My grands were from TN & KY, they loved BEP...corn bread, buttermilk, biscuits w/honey. My gran mixed collard and mustard greens, put a ham hock, onion, bacon, let them cook till they practically melted...sop up some of that "pot likker" with the cornbread or a biscuit...Lawdy chile, that's some good eats. I can just hear her saying that as I type this.
Posted by: Joan Clarke | 01/02/2013 at 10:20 PM
Aunt Ola and Aunt Lois look like they could be twins! Love ham hock and beans and cornbread and the greens are a good addition. Black eyed peas bring good luck if eaten on New Years day (but I'm sure you already know that)
Posted by: Janet Ghio | 01/03/2013 at 07:41 AM
What a wonderful smile your father had. I think that he and Angie must have made a cute couple.
Posted by: Caroline | 01/03/2013 at 09:05 AM
Lordy, girl, you have dipped into my kind of heaven. But what is sriracha? Herb or spice? Black eyed peas were traditional at the start of a new year. Supposed to bring luck and prosperity - so you and all who joined you for dinner are off to a mighty fine start! Happy New Year 2013!
PS Your Aunt Ola looks a bunch like my great granny Nicey. You can see her pic here: http://longviewstudio.blogspot.com/2012/10/halloween-murder-mystery.html
Posted by: Corky | 01/03/2013 at 11:07 AM
Yum, yum, yum.... Greens are one of the fun things you can grow in a winter garden and while I've never really cottoned to eating them straight, I put them in all of my soups and sauces. Like spinach, they shrink up a ton when cooked so no one really notices them much and they are SO good for you. In bean soup, with or without meat, add a little vinegar, yogurt and dill. Delicious~
Posted by: Annie | 01/03/2013 at 04:36 PM
Carol, I like to lightly steam my greens then add a tablespoon of nut butter of some sort thinned w a little bit of the steaming water. I toss the greens with that mixture then top with a few shakes of Frank's hot sauce. Super easy and healthy and yummy. Of course Franks goes on everything here. Im THAT kinda girl....
Posted by: Susan | 01/04/2013 at 11:13 AM