This Southern good luck staple is extremely easy and won’t be taxing at all after a night of hard partying, but you will need to soak your beans the night before.

Ingredients:
Dried black eyed peas (1/2 lb. per 2 people)
Baking soda
Water
Ham hock or soup bone
Uncured/Smoked pork or turkey bacon
2-4 bay leaves
salt and pepper

Method
Place in a large bowl. Water should measure about 1 inch above beans.
Add 2tsp baking soda per 1/2 lb of beans
Leave beans to soak overnight
Wait 12 hrs.
Pour off soaking water
Place beans, ham hock, bacon and bay leaves in a large Dutch oven or stock pot.
Add 4 cups of water per 1lb. of beans.
Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours. (Liquid will thicken. If liquid becomes too thick, add more water.)
Remove bay leaves.
Remove meat from bone and stir into beans.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Serve with corn bread.

*I suggest you wait until the end to salt and pepper your beans. The pork and bacon may have a lot of salt that will be released during cooking.

That’s it. Here’s to a prosperous and happy 2013!

Do you have any good luck meals you prepare for your family? If so, share them with us.

Sally