Start 2013 With A Little Luck

For many of us, the New Year's Day meal isn't nearly as important as the one we enjoy the night before. For our family, it's because I put out such a spread of "little bites" on New Year's Eve we are usually either too full the next day to really eat, or we are finishing up leftovers. For others, and we did fall into this category before Mr. Alex came along, they are craving one thing after a long night of celebration, parties and libations...coffee! But there have been years I have hosted my parents for a traditional New Year's Day meal of pork and sauerkraut, long rumored to bring good luck in the new year. And when I first saw this side dish recipe in Taste of Home I was immediately drawn to it because 1. I can always use more side dish recipes 2. I thought I had read where these are also known as a "good luck" food and 3. it contained bacon, and well, that makes is delicious just on principle.

The practice eating black eyed peas for luck is believed to have started during the Civil War. First planted for livestock food, and then a food staple for slaves, the fields containing them were ignored by General Sherman as he burned his way through the south. Therefore, giving them a very important role in the lives of surviving Confederates. Still today, many homes in the south will include these little gems on their New Year's table along with greens, cornbread or even stewed tomatoes. 

So if you are hosting a big dinner to ring in 2013 or like me are just in constant need of new and interesting side dishes to keep your family satisfied, keep these in mind! 

Black Eyed Peas with Bacon From Taste of Home

1 lb. dry black eyed peas

1/2 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled, set aside a little for garnish

1 medium onion, chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

1/2 tsp dried thyme

1 TBS butter

Salt and Pepper to taste

In a large pot, place peas and cooked bacon. Add water, just to cover. Bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat. DO NOT DRAIN Allow to soak for 1 hour. In a large skillet melt butter over medium heat. Add onions. Cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. Cook 1 more minute. Add to pea mixture. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer. Cook 30 minutes, covered,  until peas are tender, stirring frequently. Remove with a slotted spoon. Garnish with extra bacon.

Shared on Miz Helen's Country Cottage Dec. 6, 2012
Shared on The Country Cook Dec. 7, 2012

Peas at Very Good Recipes

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It's A Must

I have told you before how some type of bread is almost always included in our dinner. From rolls to garlic bread to simple sandwich bread, the bread portion of our meal is kind of like an extra utensil! And this does not end on the holidays! I remember a couple years ago when my mom was going over our Christmas Day menu with my dad. He asked "What about rolls?" She explained to him she didn't think we needed them with everything else we were having, and how the past couple years she made them and there were many leftover. His answer was "Yeah, so. We have to have them; and if there are leftovers, I will eat those too." Seriously, you would have thought Santa himself had cancelled Christmas with his level of disappointment!  So, needless to say, there were indeed rolls on the Christmas table that year, and every year since! Mom would never even consider omitting them after that reaction! So, if your family is like ours and need those extra holiday carbs (Diets are for the new year!), these easy rolls might be just the answer. Right from the oven, warm with a little butter...mmm...mmm...good! And if you are having a buffet style meal, they are great made ahead and either served room temperature, or rewarmed closer to dinner. Whatever you are serving for your holiday meal, be sure to include rolls or bread of some sort. You never know who is going to show up...and if it's my dad...watch out if you don't!

Easy Yeast Rolls
1 c. warm water
1 pkg. yeast
1/4 c. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 egg
1/3 c. oil
3 c. flour

Combine first 4 ingredients. Blend egg and oil and add to first mixture. Mix well. Add flour. Mix well. Place in a greased bowl, and cover with greased plastic wrap. Allow to rise in a warm place 1.5-2 hours until doubled in size. Empty dough onto a well floured surface. Knead well. Pinch off about 2 inch portions and roll into balls. Place in a well oiled 9x13 pan . Cover with greased plastic wrap. Allow to double in size. Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Makes 16-20 rolls (You will probably have to make more than one batch if using a 9x13 pan.) 

Shared on Lady Behind The Curtain Dec. 5, 2012
Shared on Miz Helen's Country Cottage Dec. 6, 2012
Shared on The Country Cook Dec. 7, 2012

Rolls at Very Good Recipes
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Trending This Holiday

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Duck Brand® for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

There are always so many trends floating around in the craft world, especially during the holiday season. There are the tride and true ones you see every year, the easy ones that everyone can do, and then there are the ones that take off like gangbusters and you see them everywhere! Over the past year, the latter describes what has been happening with duct tape! Who knew all the creative and fun things you could do with this every day household item? And now you can incorporate it into holiday crafting too, thanks to Duck® Brand!

Duck® brand has been delighting customers with with DIY products for over 20 years and continues to offer innovative solutions for American homes. But now their products are showing up in craft cabinets in homes across this country! You know you've seen cute crafts made out of duct tape and said "I would have never have thought of that." 

And now they have a new line of Holiday Duck Tape® just in time for folks to get festive! From a reindeer pattern, to that which looks like a candy cane, these are perfect for all your holiday crafting ideas. Me? Well, I would find something fun for my son to do, like maybe wrapping inexpensive pens making great stocking stuffers, at a reasonable price. I love for my little guy to give homemade gifts, and Duck® Brand is making it easier than ever. Personally, I love the Reindeer pattern the best. Super cute!

For more info and great ideas, you can visit their website, and/or become a fan on Facebook!

Food For Thought {A Review and Giveaway}

In the last week, I've had the pleasure of reading an incredible coffee table book, that every foodie, especially if you are a fellow Hoosier, would enjoy. Food for Thought: An Indiana Harvest uses both pictures and personal stories to capture and explore this exciting time in Indiana food and agriculture. From the point of view of over 80 people from every corner of the state, this book gives the reader an inside look to what is going on in every aspect of the Indiana food scene.

You will meet Cindy Hoye from the Indiana State Fair, who grew up just 10 minutes from the fairgrounds and has lifelong memories of this summer time tradition. She tells us that when she started out at the fair the number one reason people came to the fair was for the animals, followed closely by the exhibits. Number three was the food. Today, food has become the #1 reason why fair goers drive the miles (yep, that's our family) and each August head to Indianapolis. She talks about how the different types of foods offered at the fair have grown in such variety, including the now famous Deep Fried Twinkie. Plus, she makes sure to suggest when you attend the fair, you visit the Dairy Barn for one of their amazing milkshakes; which I know all about!

Alex outside the Dairy Barn August 2012

Another story you can read is that of Pete and Alice Eshelman, who in 2000 opened Jospeh Decuis Restaurant. Pete, a former pro baseball player brought his sports insurance business here and what started out as a way to entertain clients and colleagues became a public destination when the restaurant opened. I especially enjoyed learning the history of Jospeh Decuis because it resides in Roanoke, which is less than 30 minutes from my house. And while I have never eaten there, I have heard wonderful things about their food, and hope to one day. Since opening, the business has grown to include a farm, where much of the restaurant's food, including it's Wagyu beef, is raised! We're talking about the ultimate "farm-to-fork" experience, right up the street and I didn't even know! Pete says " I think Indiana should become an international culinary destination, like Napa, like New York". And I couldn't agree more.

The third story I was drawn to was about folks right here in my hometown, Fort Wayne. Bernadette Olivier and Elie Laurent Apollon are a refugee couple from Haiti, who lost two sons in the 2010 earthquake. Even though neither had ever farmed before, through Catherine Kasper Place, a ministry aimed at supporting and finding opportunities for immigrants, they have learned the skills necessary to earn an income. How? They are selling their produce at local farmer's markets and churches! My family loves to frequent local farmer's markets, so I've probably had some of their veggies in my home! Theirs is a story of trial and overcoming set backs. From that horrific earthquake, to their very first crop here in Indiana being wiped out, they have seen adversity and persevered; and hope to someday open the first Caribbean restaurant in Fort Wayne!

These are just a few of the stories shared in this foodie's dream book. Even if you aren't from Indiana, you will love reading about everything we have going on here in the Hoosier state. Not to mention the absolutely breath taking photography! The pictures will make you feel like you were there the moment the photo was snapped. Learning more about the food we eat, where and who it's coming from, makes us all more responsible eaters. Plus it blesses us with a great appreciation for all the wonderful foods on our table. 

If you would like to get your very own copy, click here to purchase Food for Thought: An Indian Harvest. But I have been provided with one copy to give away to one lucky EMM fan. See below for details, rules and entry: 

********Giveaway********

Rules:

1. This contest is open to US Residents 18 and older ONLY.

2. The winner will be chosen by Random.org 

3. The winner will be notified by email and Facebook. He/she will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. I will then pass on your address to the sponsor for shipping.

4. When leaving comments for entries, they MUST BE SEPARATE ones AND include an email address so it's easy for me to find the winner. If entries are together, it will only count as (1) and if no email, entry will not be considered.

5. If any of the extra entries are items you are already doing, please just remind me!

6. Contest Ends: December 11, 2012

One Lucky Winner Will Receive:
 (1) Copy of Food For Thought

Mandatory Entry:

1. Leave a comment. Anything you want! Tell me hi. Why you want the book. Wish me a Merry Christmas. That's it! Easy as can be!

Extra Entries: 

1. Become an EMM Facebook fan. Leave a comment when you have.

2. Follow EMM on Twitter. Leave a comment when you are.

3. Follow me on Pinterest and leave a comment.

4. Follow me on GFC, Networked Blogs or Linky Tools...all on homepage, left hand side. Leave a comment when you have.

An Oldie But A Goodie

This is something I have literally been making f.o.r.e.v.e.r! I think the first time I did, Alex wasn't even eating solid food yet, because I remember him eyeing it while he was eating his pureed sweet potatoes and squash! Technically this is of course, perfect for breakfast or a weekend brunch, but like so many other dishes that fall into those categories, we have only ever eaten it for supper! It's a great weeknight meal that will have your family thinking you spent all day preparing it, when really, in about 15 minutes it can be baking in the oven while you are doing other things! I don't know about you, but this time of the year is seems to get busier and busier each year; and I don't even realize it until I'm smack dab in the middle of another hectic schedule trying to fit everything in, wondering where the time is going. And I know so many of you are in the same boat, just trying to get everything done, and still maintain somewhat of a normal schedule. In fact, I just told someone yesterday "Between everyday life, the holiday craze, and Adam's brother's wedding 4 days after Christmas, it's to the point when people ask to make plans with us I respond with 'Sure, we'll see you in 2013.'" So I love knowing that will just a little prep work, supper is working in the oven while I take those precious minutes and multitask. But, if you are planning on lots of visitors during the holidays, and they insist on eating other meals besides supper, (just kidding) definitely keep this one in mind for Christmas morning...or the day after...or the day after that....you never know how long they will stay!

Sausage and Cheese Quiche

1( 9") deep dish pie shell, frozen

1 lb. mild sausage

3 eggs

2/3 c. milk

2 c. sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded, divided

Salt and Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375. Take pie shell from freezer and allow to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Brown sausage in large skillet over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain well. In a large bowl whisk eggs and milk. Add salt, pepper and sausage. Stir well to combine. Place 3/4 cup cheese in bottom of pie shell. Pour egg mixture in. Top with remaining cheese. Bake for 50 minutes until browned and set. Allow to set 5 minutes before serving.

Shared on Mandy's Recipe Box Dec. 4, 2012
Shared on Miz Helen's Country Cottage Dec. 6, 2012
Shared on The Country Cook Dec. 7, 2012