84 eye recipes

Black-eyed peas simmered in ham hock broth, tossed with sweet crabmeat, crispy bacon, tri-color bell peppers, and fresh herbs, then ringed with juicy ruby grapefruit sections. Southern elegance on a platter.

Along the coast of the Southern US eating Hoppin' John on New Year's Day is thought to bring a year filled with luck and prosperity. The beans symbolize coins or pennies. Sometimes a penny is added to the pot or can be left under the bowls of Hoppin' John. Greens such as Collards, chard or kale can be added and symbolize the color of money and are said to add to ones wealth in the new year. The day after New Year's Day the leftovers are called "Skippin' Jenny," and further demonstrates one's frugality. A common tradition in the south US is each person at the meal should leave three peas on their plate to ensure the New Year will be filled with Luck, Fortune and Romance. Another tradition holds that counting the number of peas in a serving predicts the amount of luck (or wealth) that will be collected over the next year.

Cuban black-eyed pea fritters fried golden, spiked with garlic and hot chili. Vegan, dairy-free, and the kind of crackling street snack meant to be eaten hot off the paper towel.

Maharagwe is an East African spiced bean dish simmering black-eyed peas in coconut milk with turmeric, chili powder, tomatoes, and cilantro. Vegan, creamy, and served over rice.

Porter beef braises chunks of rib eye in Guinness stout with onions, mushrooms, and a pinch of nutmeg. A rich Irish-style stout-braised beef stew that cooks in two hours.

Pressure cooker Hoppin' John with brown basmati rice, wild rice, black-eyed peas, collard and mustard greens, and stewed tomatoes. A hearty Southern one-pot classic.

Flour-coated round steak browned and slow cooked with tomato sauce, onions, and green peppers until fork-tender. A hands-off comfort food dinner that simmers all day while you do your thing.

Sajor bayam - Indonesian spinach and creamed corn puree with coconut milk, shrimp paste, garlic, and bird's eye chili. A rich, spicy Southeast Asian vegetable side dish.

Good, inexpensive hearty meal although I would spice it up a little more probably with garlic and more onion.

Stack-in-a-pot stew layers browned ground beef, garlic, chopped onion, cherry tomatoes, and black-eyed peas in one pot. No stirring needed. Just simmer for 30 minutes and serve.

Pickled black-eyed peas marinated in a garlic-infused oil and red wine vinegar dressing with red onion and cayenne. A Southern make-ahead appetizer that improves over several days.

Pepper-crusted roast beef eye of round coated in Dijon mustard and cracked black pepper, served with a roasted red pepper and fresh basil compound butter. An elegant, simple roast.

A warm beef and bacon stew is served over pasta. It's delicious and fills you up. A great fall or winter dish.

Hot Hoppin' John salad with black-eyed peas, rice, ham, and crispy bacon served over stir-fried cabbage. A Southern rice and pea dish with a kick of hot sauce.

Vegetarian gumbo with black-eyed peas, okra, corn, tomatoes, and the holy trinity in a homemade vegetable stock. A plant-based bayou bowl ready to ladle over cornbread.

Lamb Creole gumbo with browned lamb riblets, okra, black-eyed peas, stewed tomatoes, and white wine simmered low and slow. A hearty Louisiana-style pot that serves eight and freezes well.