Well, the New Year came around and we decided to eat as many things as possible that might bring us fortune during the new year. After doing a little research, I found many foods that were sure to bring you luck if eaten on the first: Anything fish with scales, 12 grapes at midnight, black eyed peas, hog jowl, greens, noodles, cabbage, lentils, and pomegranate. We had several creative dishes that incorporated many of the foods that would bring you luck. You can't be too careful and I could definitely use as much luck as I could get.
Hoppin John Cakes
1-1/2 cups Black-Eyed Peas, rinsed and drained
3 tbsp Diced Yellow Onion
2 tbsp Diced Red Peppers
2 tbsp Diced Fresh Jalapenos, seedless
¼ cup Drained Diced Tomatoes
¼ cup Diced Hog Jowl
1 tsp Chopped Garlic
¼ tsp Salt
¼ tsp Black Pepper
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tbsp All Purpose Flour
2 tbsp Plain Bread Crumbs
2 cups Ritz Cracker Crumbs
1 cup Canola Oil
In a large bowl mix first 10 ingredients. Using a stick blender or food processor, slightly blend ingredients together until peas are chunky. Next, add plain bread crumbs and all purpose flour and mix well. Let mixture chill for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator. Using a spoon or an ice cream scoop (#15 size disher), make small balls of the mixture then coat the balls in the cracker crumbs and flatten out to about half an inch thick disk. Add the canola oil to a frying pan, heat oil on medium high heat and fry patties until golden brown on both sides.
Won ton Cabbage roll
5-8 each Large cabbage leaves
For the filling:
1 cup Won ton sheets, julienned
3 tbsp Shitake Mushrooms
¼ cup diced yellow onions
2 tbsp diced carrots
½ cup diced cabbage
1 tbsp minced ginger
2 tbsp diced green onions
¼ cup collard greens, I used canned (lazy man)
¼ cup diced hog jowl
1 tbsp chopped garlic
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
½ cup plus 2 tbsp canola oil
For the sauce:
¼ cup Tamari, or soy sauce
1 tbsp Gulden’s brown mustard
2 tbsp tomato paste
½ tsp red pepper flakes
2 tbsp blue agave nectar
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 cup chicken stock
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp chopped garlic
Preparation:
If using dried Shitake mushrooms, follow package instructions to re-hydrate. Heat ½ cup canola oil in small pot until oil is about 350 F. Fry won ton wrappers until crispy, remove from oil and drain. Heat pan over medium high heat, then add diced hog jowl. Cook until jowl is browned and add onions, carrots, mushrooms, and garlic. Cook until onions are translucent then season with salt, pepper. Stir in collard greens, green onions, and won ton wrappers. Remove from heat and cool in refrigerator.
Prepare sauce by mixing all the ingredients together and stirring well.
Bring 2qt pot of water to a boil. Add cabbage leaves and blanch for 8 to 10 minutes or until pliable. Remove from water and drain on paper towels.
Cooking Instructions:
Put about ¼ cup of the filling in the center of the cabbage leaf. Fold over cabbage leaf and tuck under filling, then fold over the sides towards the center and roll the leaf into a cabbage roll. Secure with toothpick. Heat 2 tbsp canola oil over medium heat in a frying pan. Brown both sides of the cabbage rolls, approximately 3 minutes on each side. Remove from heat, add the sauce to the pan, then immediately cover with lid. Leave with lid on for at least 3 minutes. Remove toothpick and spoon sauce excess sauce over cabbage rolls before serving.
