Start 2011 Off Right!!!

For new year's day Shaun and I cooked pork roast, purple hull peas, cabbage, and cornbread. Eating cabbage and black eyed peas on new years day is an American tradition that both of our families take part in every year. The consumption of cabbage and peas on new year's day is supposed to bring you good luck throughout the year (cabbage leaves represent paper money). Shaun is not a fan of black eyed peas (he says purple hull peas are sooo much better... and I'm starting to agree with him ;). I don't know if we will have any "good luck" this year but the meal sure turned out tasty!!

Cabbage:
1 head of cabbage
3 pieces of bacon

1. Fry 3 pieces of bacon in the pot you will use for the cabbage
2. Cut cabbage leaves into whatever size you want then put cabbage in a pot with the bacon and grease, add water till it reaches about 1/4 to 1/2  the cabbage, bring to a boil then decrease temperature to medium low to let it steam for 20 minutes or until leaves are soft.
3. Add salt, pepper, or Tony Chachere's seasoning to taste

Purple Hull Peas:
1 lb Purple Hull Peas
3 pieces of bacon

1. Fry 3 pieces of bacon in the pot you will use for the peas
2. Add the peas the pot of bacon and grease, bring to a boil for 3 minutes then decrease temperature to medium low, cook for 30 minutes
3. Add salt, pepper, or Tony Chachere's seasoning to taste


Pork Roast:
4 lbs of pork roast (we used a blade roast)
2 medium sized onions
bunch of green onions
2 tbsp of minced garlic
1 cup of chicken broth
water
onion powder
garlic powder
Tony Chachere's

1. Season meat with Tony's, onion powder, garlic powder. Tenderize meat then cut several small slits(4-5) about 1 inch long and deep and stuff with 1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic.
2. Chop onions and hard part of green onions, set aside.
3. Use a cast iron dutch oven pot, add 1/8 inch of canola oil to the bottom of the pot, bring to medium high heat.
4. Add pork roast to pot, cut heat down to medium heat and sear it on on each side for about 3 minutes. 
5. Continue to brown it until meat is cooked 1/2 inch through on each side (you might have to cut the heat down to not burn).
6. Add onions, green onions, and minced garlic and 1/2 a cup of chicken broth cook until onions are caramelized 5-10 minutes.
7. Add another 1/2 cup of chicken broth and water until it reaches 1/2 to 3/4 of the meat (this will be your gravy) and add more Tony's seasoning (a couple shakes), cover, then cook for 3 hours in oven at 325 degrees. Serve over rice!

seasoned and tenderized meat

add to pot

searing meat

onions and hard part of green onions

caramelizing onions

finished!

Calloway Cornbread:

1 1/2 cups of yellow corn meal
1 cup of all purpose self rising flour
1 tsp of baking powder
2 eggs
milk (1 to 1 1/2 cup)
pinch of salt
1/2 tsp of sugar
3-4 pieces of bacon

1. Fry bacon in a 9 inch cast iron skillet, remove bacon and leave grease.
2. Mix yellow corn meal, flour, baking powder, eggs, salt, and sugar. Add milk gradually and stir until it becomes a thick batter (If you like a sweeter cornbread add more sugar). Pour mixture into skillet. Bake at 425 degrees for 20-25minutes till golden brown and a wooden pick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Run a knife around the edges then carefully invert cornbread onto a plate. Butter a piece and enjoy!

thick batter

batter in skillet, bacon grease around the edges

perfect!

beautiful!!!! 

New Year's Day meal!

Today's verse:
Phil 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.