My Hoppin' John

New Year's Eve has a special menu.  There are several superstitions about NYE. 
1) Kiss the one you love at midnight to insure that love will last through the year.
2) Eat greens on new year's day for monitary wealth all year (cabbage, collards, ect.).
3) Eat twelve grapes on NY day for prosperity (one for each month).
4) Eat pork, because they are always moving forward when they eat.
5) Don't eat poultry on new year's - they are always scratching for their food.
6)  Make sure the pantry is stocked
7) Make sure to have a dollar in your pocket at midnight - to help you keep your money throughout the year.
7a) If you're sleeping at midnight, you might need pajamas with a pocket.
8) Don't wear red underwear - I know why, but ok.
9) Don't take anything out of the house until something new comes in. So, don't take out the trash, ect.
10) Don't sweep or cry.
11) Kiss a new year's baby for good luck.

It is not all complicated. Just eat 12 grapes, don't wear red underwear, be lazy, and eat MY Hoppin John.
If you cooked extra collard greens last time, you'll need to adjust the recipe.

2 cups dried black eyed peas
4 cups of H2O
2 cups chicken stock (homemade if you  got it)
1 1/2 onion, chopped
1 smoked ham shank
1tsp dried thyme
cup of rice ( long grain works best)
1 bell pepper
1 bunch of collard greens, cleaned, chopped in one inch squares
3 pieces of garlic
salt
pepper
cayenne
hot sauce (optional)
pepper vinegar (optional)

Soak peas overnight (6 hours minimum).  In a large pot sautee onions and peppers, add garlic when onions go clear. Add ham shank, then collards.  Let this sizzle for 2 minutes, then add chicken stock,H2O, and peas.
Bring to a boil, and add thyme, pepper, and cayenne. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer this for one hour.  Check greens for softness.
If greens are done, simmer another 20 minutes, covered. If you are cooking the rice in this pot, add it now.
I cook my rice separate. Directions are on the bag 2 cup H2O,1 cup rice, boil,cover,simmer 20 minutes timed.
Add pepper vinegar (a couple of dashes). Taste for salt. Depending on the ham shank and the chicken stock, you may not need any more.
Hot sauce can be served on the side.
Cornbread goes well with this.
Collards can now be bought in a bag. They are cleaned, cut up, and ready to use.  If you buy whole,  make sure to scrub them really good!
You can use canned black eyed peas. Just drain and rinse, add them at the very end.

You don't have to be superstitious to enjoy this.  It's a great healthy meal anytime of the year.
I'm off to find a New Year's baby to kiss (maybe an Irish one, under a rainbow)
HAPPY NEW YEAR'S TO EVERYONE !!