A Hoppin’ John Recipe For Good Luck This New Year

Looking for some good luck for the new year? Here's a traditional dish that I know can be prepared all year, but on January 1st, there's a pot of Hoppin' John soup sitting on my parents' stove.I now know why my Mom serves us ham on Christmas; she saves the leftovers to make a huge pot of Hoppin' John and for the past few years, she's served a pot at our New Year's Day family get together. I thought I would ask for her recipe and although she claims she just "throws it together", here it is:

Hoppin' John

1 small onion, chopped

2 stalks of celery, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

3 T. butter

2 c. chopped ham

1 15oz can of black eyed peas, drained

2 c. cooked rice

3-4 c. chicken broth

A few dashes of hot sauce, or to taste

Melt the butter in a large pot. Saute' onions and celery until softened. Add garlic; cook a couple of minutes more. Add all the other ingredients. Check for seasoning and adjust as needed. Simmer for 30 minutes.

Wow, I think I could even do that! Have a very Happy New Year and good luck in 2014!