DINING IN

A Little Bit of Luck If you are hoping for good health, wealth, and prosperity in the New Year, improve your chances by adding “good […]

December 14, 2023
2 min read

A Little Bit of Luck

If you are hoping for good health, wealth, and prosperity in the New Year, improve your chances by adding “good luck” options to your diet. Anything green, because of its positive associations — dollar bills, four-leaf clover, jade.

Black-eyed peas are perhaps the best-known good luck food. According to John Egerton’s “Southern Food: At Home, On the Road, in History,” black-eyed peas possess a “mystical and mythical power to bring good luck and have been a Southern staple for more than three centuries.”

This attractive nugget is called a pea but is actually a bean. Peas and beans are legumes and boast solid nutritional benefits. Black-eyed peas are believed to lower blood pressure, increase folate intake, and promote skin and eye health. 

They take center stage in this masala recipe and provide enough texture to fill you up on a cold January night. 

Along with garam masala, a flavorful spice blend that differs regionally throughout India, this dish also has a spice called asafoetida, which will have you wondering where it has been all your life. Garam masala usually consists of fennel, peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon, cumin, coriander, chili powder, and mace. However, since it is a blend, no two versions are ever really the same. It is aromatic and robust, which makes it perfect for stews and soups.

Asafoetida, on the other hand, is used to enhance a dish in the same way as salt. It is also the perfect substitute for those whose digestive systems can’t tolerate garlic, onions, and leeks. Use it in small quantities. This exotic spice is made from the dried resin of a giant fennel plant and is native to India, Iran, and Afghanistan. If you cannot find it in your grocery store, you can count on Amazon. 

Try your luck with this new dish for the new year. May your 2024 be filled with all kinds of good luck.

Black-eyed Pea Masala

Serves 8.

Ingredients

2 cups dried black-eyed peas

2 T. olive oil

1 large onion, diced

2 t. cumin seeds

1/8 t. asafoetida

1 T. fresh ginger, minced

1 T. garlic, minced

¼-½ t. cayenne

1 t. turmeric

2 15-ounce cans diced tomatoes

2 t. garam masala

1 t. sugar

1 t. salt

Chopped parsley or cilantro for garnish

Directions

Pick over the dried peas, removing any debris, and rinse. Cover with water and allow to soak for 8 hours. Drain peas just before cooking.

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat and add onions. Cook, stirring until onions soften. Add cumin seed and cook for 1 minute. Add the asafoetida, ginger, and garlic and stir for 30 seconds, being careful not to burn. Add the peas, two cups of water, and all remaining ingredients. Bring to a low boil. 

Cover and simmer until the peas are tender (30-60 minutes, depending on the age of your peas). Check seasoning and add more salt and garam masala if necessary.

Sprinkle with parsley or cilantro and serve with rice, naan, or a baguette.

Filed Under:
Subscribe and get freshly baked articles. Join the community!
Begin typing your search above and press return to search. Press Esc to cancel.

kuwin

iplwin

my 11 circle

betway

jeetbuzz

satta king 786

betvisa

winbuzz

dafabet

rummy nabob 777

rummy deity

yono rummy

shbet

kubet

winbuzz

daman games

winbuzz

betvisa

betvisa

betvisa

baji999

marvelbet

krikya

Dbbet

Nagad88

Babu88

Six6s

Bhaggo

Elonbet

yono rummy

rummy glee

rummy perfect

rummy nabob

rummy modern

rummy wealth

jeetbuzz

iplwin

yono rummy

rummy deity

rummy app

betvisa

lotus365

hi88

8day

97win

n88

red88

king88

j88

i9bet

good88

nohu78

99ok

bet168

betvisa

satta king

satta matta matka

betvisa

mostplay

4rabet

leonbet

pin up

mostbet

rummy modern

Fastwin Login

Khela88

Fancywin

Jita Ace

Betjili

Betvisa

Babu88

jeetwin

nagad88

jaya9

joya 9

khela88

babu88

babu888

mostplay

marvelbet

baji999

abbabet

Jaya9

Mostbet

MCW

Jeetwin

Babu88

Nagad88

Betvisa

Marvelbet

Baji999

Jeetbuzz

Mostplay

Jwin7

Melbet

Betjili

Six6s

Krikya

Jitabet

Glory Casino

Betjee

Jita Ace

Crickex

Winbdt

PBC88

R777

Jitawin

Khela88

Bhaggo