Happy New Year

Are you a traditionalist about eating a new year’s day meal for good luck? Or are you superstitious? For me the tradition is an excuse to eat a bunch of favorite southern foods. This year’s menu will be pork chops cooked with collard greens, served with a side of Hoppin’ John. Here are the recipes:

RECIPES

Hoppin’ John

Ingredients:

1 cup dried black eye peas
1 cup uncooked brown rice
3 cups water
½ cup chopped onion
1 can tomatoes and green chilies
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon Cajun spice seasoning

Combine the first 4 ingredients in a 4-6 quart/liter pressure cooker and bring to a boil. Add remaining ingredients, bring to pressure, lower heat, and cook under pressure for 15 minutes.

Remove from heat, allow pressure to drop for 10 minutes, then quick-release pressure according to manufacturer’s directions. Carefully open cooker, fluff rice mixture with a fork, and serve.

Serves 4-6

Pork Chops and Collard Greens

Ingredients:

4 boneless pork loin chops
1 Tbsp. olive oil
2 cups water
16 oz. collard greens, washed, stemmed, and chopped
salt and pepper
1 Tbsp. sugar or sweetener of choice
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
½ tsp. ground nutmeg

Directions:

Preheat the pressure cooker pot (use at least a 6 quart size). Brown the pork chops in oil on each side. Remove the pork chops and add salt and pepper to the chops.

Add the water to the pot, bring to a boil, then add the collard greens in bunches, allowing each bunch to wilt down. Add the vinegar and sugar to the greens. Place the pork chops on top the greens.

Secure lid, and bring to pressure. Cook for 15 minutes. Remove pressure cooker from heat and release pressure according to the manufacturer’s directions. Remove pork chops, toss the greens with salt, pepper, and nutmeg, then serve.

Makes 4 servings.

Secure lid and bring to pressure.

This menu won’t guarantee a prosperous, trouble-free 2013, but it will provide you with lots of fiber and nutrition. Enjoy!