Much like the past year, the holidays just flew by and suddenly, here we are in 2014. I made my own particular riff on Hoppin’ John yesterday (I combine the collards with the black-eyed peas and rice for a delicious one-dish meal) but I changed it up slightly, adding some diced tomatoes, smoked paprika, and jalapenos to the already-tasty dish. Topped with some vegan sour cream and a splash of Tabasco, it was out-of-this world fabulous. I also made some cornbread to add to the prosperity symbolism (gold) along with the (green for money) collards, and the good luck black-eyed peas, every indication is that it should be a great 2014 (I’m assuming it will be even better because we had second helpings of our Hoppin’ John!).
My favorite Christmas present this year was the Crazy Cat Lady Action figure that my sweet felines gave me. (I think Jon helped them place the order…) Here is the Crazy Cat Lady sitting in a vat of catnip — she even had her “house” carpeted with scratching box material — all in an effort to make her cats love her even more!
Speaking of cats, my kitties had a great Christmas — they each got their own new catnip toy. Here’s Gary with his catnip banana — he’s so happy with it, his tail wouldn’t stop wagging!
And here’s Gary wishing everyone a Happy Mew Year!
{ 9 comments… add one }
That Hoppin’ John looks delicious, Robin. I have made your HJ recipe from my old copy of One Dish Vegetarian many times. Perhaps you would share this latest version of yours with the rest of us?
I would like to add that Santa was very kind to me this holiday…I found a copy of Nut Butter Universe under the tree for me 🙂 Made the Vegetable Korma recipe from it yesterday – delicious, different, and to swoon for!
Thanks Carole. I’ll put it on my “to do” list to post my latest HJ recipe one of these days. Stay tuned!
I’m glad you’re enjoying Nut Butter Universe!
Happy New Year, Robin! You and your cookbooks and posts always help make my year better.
Happy New Year, Anne! I appreciate your kind words. 🙂
Happy New Year to you all!!
I loved the Hoppin’ John from ODV. Though I didn’t make any cornbread, so does that mean I won’t be as lucky as I could be otherwise?? 😉
Happy New Year, Susan. I’m glad you loved the Hoppin’ John from ODV. Traditionally, the Hoppin’ John should do the trick! (The cornbread is just a little added insurance!) 😉
I hope you have a wonderful year!
What a delicious take – I love the jalapenos that are front and center! Happy 2014!
Thanks, Laura. It was delicious! Happy 2014 to you, too!
Hi Robin,
Today I made your Hoppin’ John recipe from ODV. I did try something new – fresh black eyed peas (not canned or frozen). I bought them in the produce department at Whole Foods. They were packaged by “Foodology” in a plastic container. Cook them 10 minutes on the stove (no presoaking) and they are done.
They were really delicious, and made a noticeable difference over canned black eyed peas in my Hoppin’ John – much less bitter, and fresh tasting. I’ve never had good luck cooking dried beans of any kind (I have tried many methods), so I tend to use canned beans. These peas, however, were well worth the cost!
Have you any experience with these black eyed peas? Perhaps in other markets there are fresh black eyed peas from different produce packers….?