New Year's Good Luck Foods!

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Our guide for feasting for future fortune...

With ringing in the New Year there are many traditions each varies with each culture with food that promise good fortune for the next year. Why not try them all and we can have a great new year.

Legumes

Legumes including beans, peas, and lentils are symbolic of money. Their small seed-like appearance resembles coins that swell when cooked so they consumed with financial rewards in mind. In the Southern United States, it's traditional to eat black-eyed peas or cowpeas in a dish called hoppin' john. Us in Texas call it "Texas Caviar." There are even those who believe in eating one pea for every day in the new year. This Southern tradition is said to have begun during the 40-day Battle of Vicksburg, Miss., during the Civil War. The town ran out of food, but the discovery of a stash of black-eyed peas gave them instant luck.

 Our pot of Black Eye Peas Cookin' with Fatback!

(and Meredith even ate some!)

Pork

Eating pork on New Year’s Day is a tradition in many places. Pork signifies abundance and plenty of food.  The animal pushes forward, rooting itself in the ground before moving, which symbolizes progress. In the United States, where thanks to its rich fat content, it signifies wealth and prosperity.

Grapes
In Spain it is customary to eat twelve grapes at midnight-one grape for each stroke of the clock. Each grape represents a different month, so if for instance the third grape is a bit sour, March might be a rocky month. For most, the goal is to swallow all the grapes before the last stroke of midnight, but some take a 13th grape for good measure.

Cooked Greens

Cooked greens, including cabbage, collards, kale, and chard, are consumed at New Year's in different countries for a simple reason — their green leaves look like folded money, and are thus symbolic of economic fortune; believed to bring money and prosperity for the new year. Did you eat your Greens?

Fish
For years, many different cultures ate fish (Cod) for the new year because it could be easily preserved back since the feast of the Middle Ages. In Chinese celebrations, it’s important for the fish be served with the head and tail intact to ensure a good year, from start to finish. Germans also enjoy carp and have been known to place a few fish scales in their wallets for good luck. The silver skin of the fish is thought to bring good fortune. Depending on the country, it can symbolize fertility, a good harvest, long life or good fortune.

Pomegranate

Since ancient times, this fruit has been believed to have a role in fertility and abundance.

Cakes
Cakes and other baked goods are commonly served from Christmas to New Year's around the world, with a special emphasis placed on round or ring-shaped items. In certain cultures, it's customary to hide a special trinket or coin inside the cake—the recipient will be lucky in the new year

Noodles

In many Asian countries, eating long noodles on New year's Day will ensure a long life. It signify longevity, on New Year’s Day. Since the noodles are never to be broken or shortened during the cooking process, the typical preparation for “Long-Life Noodles” is a stir-fry. Udon noodles are a great choice for this tradition!

What Not to Eat!
In addition to the lucky foods, there are also a few to avoid. Lobster, for instance, is a bad idea because they move backwards and could therefore lead to setbacks. Chicken is also discouraged because the bird scratches backwards, which could cause regret or dwelling on the past. Another theory warns against eating any Winged Fowl because good luck could fly away.

In Germany, it's customary to leave a little bit of each food on your plate past midnight to guarantee a stocked pantry in the New Year. Likewise in the Philippines, it's important to have food on the table at midnight. The conclusion? Eat as much lucky food as you can, just don't get too greedy—or the first place you'll be going in the new year is the gym.

What did we eat you ask?

So here is some of what we ate last night to celebrate and bring in the new year! We avoided Chick-Fil-A and ate more Beef! Texas and Beef - what goes better together?

New Year's Menu

Rib-Eye Steak with Whiskey Cream Sauce
Cast Iron Pan seared with a succulent sauce!
Texas Caviar
with fatback and onions out of our garden!
Greens (sub Broccoli) with Cheese Sauce
symbolize money and well...more Gold!
Home-made Rolls & Cornbread
a must have in the south with your black eyes

What can be better than cooking in our Griswold seasoned Cast Iron (over 100 years old) 

A feast for Kings & Queens...well we're almost!