13 traditional recipes

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.

Slow-roasted leg of lamb rubbed with garlic, rosemary, and paprika, basted in a lemon-chicken broth sauce. A traditional Seder centerpiece that comes out tender as butter.

Authentic Middle Eastern falafel made from dried chickpeas soaked overnight and deep-fried golden. Crispy exterior with fluffy interior, perfect in pita with tahini sauce.

Authentic miso soup made from scratch with homemade dashi, kombu, bonito flakes, wakame, tofu, and barley miso. A nourishing Japanese staple ready in 40 minutes with real umami depth.

Three-ingredient cranberry sauce made the Native American way with maple sugar and birch sap instead of refined sugar and water. A simple, earthy Algonquin-inspired recipe that simmers in one pot.

Traditional Scottish Scotch broth with mutton, pearl barley, split peas, leeks, cabbage, and root vegetables simmered low and slow into a hearty soup.

Traditional English mustard made with just two ingredients: dry mustard powder and cold water mixed into a smooth paste. Cold water is key because heat kills the enzymes that give English mustard its fierce bite.

Indian kachumber salad with cubed tomato, red onion, fresh chili, ginger, and lemon juice. A raw, no-cook side dish that pairs with any curry or grilled meat.

Cranberry apple relish with cider-cooked apples, raw cranberries, sugar, cinnamon, and cloves. A ratio-based holiday condiment you can scale to any batch size.

Indian-style fresh kachumber: tomato, red onion, fresh chili, and ginger tossed with lemon juice and salt. The crisp, tangy 5-minute side dish for channa masala, dal, or aloo parathas.

I made all Hawaiian food and this was with it. I loved smelling this cooking throughout the house, and it was divine. I froze two of the loaves, because I was told do not give it away, save it. Oh well will have to make double next time.

Traditional Japanese noodles in a homemade dashi broth made from kombu, bonito flakes, tamari, mirin, and fresh ginger juice. An authentic kake-udon or kake-soba base ready in 30 minutes.

A recipe for a traditional Irish bread. Barm Brack (Traditional Irish Bread - Báirín breac) One translation would be Speckled Bread.