It is one of the most exciting times of the year, when the year is new! The chance to start anew and do better from the year before. So, when we are not preoccupied with thinking of, writing down and considering the actual feasibility of our new year’s resolutions, we are preparing nutritious “good luck” foods that are traditionally eaten this time of year. These foods are known to bring a person good luck and fortune and should not be skipped. For example, in the South, eating black-eyed peas in the New Year is thought to bring one good luck and prosperity (even more so when served with greens such as kale, mustard or collard greens). Both beans and greens symbolize wealth (coins, and folded money, respectively). In other countries, foods such as lentils and seafood symbolize prosperity and health. 

The first dish we made was pinto beans with Ethiopian spices and coconut milk. We substituted pinto beans for the black-eyed beans and cooked them with onions, garlic, turmeric, ginger, berbere seasoning (we plan to cook more with this seasoning in 2019) and cayenne pepper. The second dish we made was a creamed kale. We made this with gruyere cheese (remembering our visiting to the Gruyere region of Switzerland where the cows wear flower garlands and roam the mountains grazing on the local grass). This dish is hearty, rich and perfect complement to the beans.

Whatever foods you enjoy during the New Year of 2019, may they be extra delicious and nutritious and bring you prosperity beyond measure.

Creamed Kale:

• 1 lb. kale chopped in small pieces (you can steam them first, if you prefer)
• 2 tbsp. unsalted butter and 1 tbsp. olive olie
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 large garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp. ginger
• 1 cup of half+half
• 1/4 cup Gruyere cheese
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Heat the butter, olive oil in a pan on the stove. Add the onions, garlic and ginger and cook until they are soft. Add the half+half and cheeses. Add the raw kale to the pan. Mix together until the cheeses are blended with the kale. Place in baking dish at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Optional: sprinkle bread crumbs before baking. Enjoy!

Pixie – January 2019