Steve Wiley’s New Year Blackeyed Peas

It's that time of year. Out with the old and in with the new.

We're all hoping 2014 will bring good fortune, prosperity, love, and good health. Here in South Louisiana, we believe in luck, and karma. We make the Gris-Gris and the Mojo. Everyone has New Year good luck rituals. They usually involve food. Blackeyed peas are widely believed to bring health and good fortune.

I've often said I enjoy Cajun cooking because there's a lot of room to "wing it." Here's what I did for New Year 2014:

I bought 3 bags of frozen Blackeyes, 2 lbs. of fresh Jalapeno Sausage and 1 lb. of bacon. I like to make my stock beforehand so I can chill and skim it. I boiled a ham bone and a chicken carcass w/ some Louisiana Hot Sauce and cayenne pepper. I boiled the sausage. When it got hot, I poked holes to let the fat run out & drained it. I trimmed the bacon with a pair of scissors and microwaved it 'til real crispy. Then, I put the crispy bacon in the freezer so it would crumble easily later. There were a few sliced jalapenos in the fridge, so I drained them & dumped 'em in. If this interest you, give it a try. If not, let me know what you did. Bon Annee'!