My traditional New Year’s Dinner: Black-eyed peas, sauteed greens with corn, oven fried chicken. Not shown: cornbread – but it’s a must have.

Au revoir 2019.

This past decade has been head spinning.

Here’s a trip down memory lane of a few events and advances I remember most from the decade of the 10’s:

• Rideshare services, music streaming services and Amazon (Prime) changed our lives.
• Barack Obama was elected the first African American President.
• The Real Housewives franchise dominated reality TV.
• Pot legalization began and cannabis became the hot, new economy.
• Domestic terrorism became part of the American lexicon.
• The Ebola virus emerged and measles made a raging comeback.
• American’s favorite dad fell from grace and the phase “me to” became a call to action.
• The nexus between climate change and natural disasters became analogous.
• Smart phones outsmarted us and controlled our lives.
• Two royal weddings took place.
• Lady Gaga wore a meat dress to the Video Music Awards.
• Same sex marriage became legal.
• DNA services connected our ancestry dots.
• Lebron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers in dramatic fashion.
• Kobe Bryant retired from basketball.
• Some of my favorite music icons left
  • Amy Winehouse
  • Whitney Houston
  • Prince
  • David Bowie
  • Tom Petty
  • Aretha Franklin
  • Natalie Cole
  • Donna Summer
  • Dick Clark, everyone’s favorite “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” countdown host

Of course there has been so much more of greater significance that has happened, but just riffing off the top of my head, these are the things that came immediately to mind.

It’s been a helluva a ride and we must lean in, press forward and bid this decade ado.

Tradition matters

So now –  let the 20’s roar!

But you know you can’t enter the new year and brand new decade without partaking in the most essential and hallowed new year’s tradition – eating your lucky black-eyed peas.

The folklore of eating black-eyed peas dates back to 500 A.D.  Steeped in the ritual of the eating the little black-eyed legume is the promise of prosperity. And that sentiment and belief has remained throughout the ages.

A recipe recap

I have opined about the history of this sacred pea of promise and over the years,  I have posted three variations of preparing them with this one intention – that you and yours have a beautiful and prosperous new year. Below you will find these posts. Just click on the bolded text and that will take you to the recipe.

Cali-fied Caviar is a new spin on Texas Caviar

Move Over Texas Caviar, time to get “Cali-fied”– this post features a California spin on Texas caviar which was created by Helen Corbitt for her guests at a New Year’s Eve event in Houston, Texas. It is served cold and can be a side salad or appetizer.

Easy black-eyed peas seasoned with sesame seed oil and butter.

Your lucky pot of peas 2.0 Hacked – this post outlines a black-eyed pea hack that is easy and quick to make. It is  served warm and has a delicious and unexpected delicate flavor.

A traditional black-eyed peas recipe with smoked turkey and summer savory.

Get your lucky pot of peas simmering for the New Year – this post is all about that traditional pot of peas. But it gets a little help from summer savory, better known as the “bean” herb.

My hope for you

It’s going to be a bright and gleaming 2020 decade. Here’s hoping the new year brings you:

• clarity in your purpose
• sharpness in your thinking
• acuity in your intentions and actions
• range of sight for good health and meaningful relationships

Now  that’s 2020 vision.

Happy New Year my foodie friends.  May you cook fearlessly and eat well!