Simple & Delicious Appetizers for Luck at New Year's

New Year's is a time to celebrate....with reflection on the past and planning for the future. And the food. Of course there's the food. I've always tried to come up with a new twist on certain New Year's food traditions. So this year I've got some simple and delicious appetizers that you might want to incorporate into your holiday! 

Lucky Greens Flatbread Pizza 

Greens, which share the same shade as money, are said to bring prosperity in the New Year. I had a big bag of kale in the fridge so I decided to get creative and turn it into a topping for a tasty flatbread pizza. 

For my bread, I used garlic naan (bought at Aldi). For the toppings, I steamed some kale and stirred it with some mayo and shredded cheese. A very beloved restaurant in my hometown has a signature cheesy bread that incorporates shredded cheese and mayo. So I used this as a jumping off point and added the greens. 

A few minutes under the broiler and it's bubbly and ready to enjoy! You could use other toppings too, but  make sure to have some greens (spinach, chard, arugula, or whatever you like). 

Mini Bagels with Dill Cream Cheese and Smoked Salmon 

Some superstitions point to eating food with a hole in the middle for good luck in the New Year.  It may be because they represent the circle of life, the way things flow from the end of one year to the beginning of another. 

This year I'm incorporating mini bagels as my ring shaped food, and this option would make a great evening appetizer as well as a midnight snack or addition to your New Year's Day brunch. 

First I added some dried dill to plain cream cheese. This will add lots of flavor that complements the salmon. Then you'll need the bagels, smoked salmon and whatever else you like to add to this combination. Capers are a popular option for some people, a' la Bobby Hill. 

Black Eyed Pea Bruschetta 

In year's past, I've made black eyed pea burgers, black eyed pea hummus, and just good ol' fashioned black eyed peas, but this year I'm making a tasty and simple appetizer....black eyed pea bruschetta. 

Black eyed peas are a traditional southern New Year's food, because they also symbolize prosperity and good luck. I'll take some of both in 2019 if you please! 

Start with a can of black eyed peas and drain. Then drain a can of diced tomatoes and stir in some chopped basil and parsley. Mix in a bit of store-bought olive tapenade or chopped olives. 

Spoon a bit of this mixture onto toast rounds and top with a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese. Delicious!  

Wishing you and the ones you hold dear lots of good luck, health and happiness in the coming year! 

A New Twist on New Year's Traditions

New Year's brings certain traditions....things like eating greens and kissing at midnight. There are other traditions associated with celebrating the end of one year and the coming of another. Instead of sticking to the status quo, I decided to try and put a new twist on some longstanding traditions.

Looking for a new way to ring in the coming year? Check out these three simple ways to incorporate tradition into your celebration.

1) Eating Grapes at Midnight

Eating grapes is a Spanish New Year's tradition that is catching on around the world. To really ensure good luck and good fortune in the new year, you must eat 12 grapes at the stroke of Midnight, one for each month in the coming year. 

via Whole Foods - Click for Recipe

But if you just want to incorporate some yummy grapes into your New Year's Eve party, try serving a sweet and spicy grape salsa. It's sure to be a hit at your party and the recipe can be scaled up for a larger group. 

Grape Salsa Recipe

2 cups green grapes (finely chopped)

1 cup green onion (finely chopped)

2 T cilantro (finely chopped)

2 T lime juice (or more to taste)

2 T olive oil 

Salt and Pepper to taste

1 tsp chopped jalapeno (optional)

Stir together ingredients and serve with pita chips or tortilla chips 

2) Black-Eyed Peas for Good Luck 

Black-eyed peas are considered by many southerners to be a lucky food to eat on New Year's Day. The peas swell when they are cooked, which symbolizes prosperity. And we can't ever have enough of that! 

For a new twist on this tradition, try a black-eyed pea hummus, which can be served with veggie sticks or crackers. 

Black-Eyed Pea Hummus

1 can black-eyed peas, drained

2 T tahini (optional)

Olive oil (to taste)

Add the peas and tahini to a food processor and pulse while adding olive oil until it has the consistency of a paste. Enjoy! 

3) Pomegranate Seeds for Love & Life 

In some cultures, pomegranates are enjoyed at New Year's because they symbolize love and life. Packed with vitamins and fiber, pomegranate seeds are not only tasty and delicious, but also healthy for you.

Start your New Year off on the right foot with a healthy breakfast option featuring pomegranate seeds, yogurt and granola. Whip up a parfait in no time, substituting your favorite nuts or flavors of yogurt. You'll feel great eating something tasty that is good for your body and soul.

What are your favorite New Year's traditions to enjoy this time of year?

Fun & Simple New Year's Traditions

I have a love/hate relationship with New Year's Eve. It's one of those festive holidays that feels like it should be celebrated while dressed to the nines, at some swanky party with other glam looking revelers. But then I also secretly want to be at home in my pajamas, eating comfort food and watching favorite movies til the stroke of midnight.

No matter how you're celebrating New Year's this year, I've got some fun and simple ideas and traditions that you might want to incorporate into your festivities. Be advised that most of the New Year's traditions involve good old fashioned superstition. It's all in good fun of course, but I don't know if I really believe any of it. Still, there's something comforting about traditions you enjoy again and again.

Put Together the Perfect Charcuterie Tray

Charcuterie has to do with prepared meats like salami, sausages, and pate. A charcuterie board or tray is a great option for a New Year's party because it can include a little bit of everything and something for everyone. Whatever your favorite tastes and flavors may be, your charcuterie board can incorporate whatever you like. Some offerings you might want to include are: 

• Deli meats (prosciutto, ham, salami, corned beef, etc) 
• Assorted cheeses (hard and soft)
• Dried fruit (figs, apricots, pineapple, raisins, and plums) 
• Nuts (Marcona almonds, cashews, pecans, walnuts) 
• Honey
• Crostini or crackers 
• Pickles (sweet and dill) 
• Olives (green, black, kalamata, etc) 

Arrange your charcuterie platter in a way that is pleasing to the eye, and your guests will love it. Start with a cutting board or large tray. Anchor it with a few bunches of grapes and some wedges of cheese. Then add your meats. Layer in different dried fruit, nuts and pickles. Use fresh rosemary for a garnish. Throughout the night, you can replenish your offerings as they run low, but guests are sure to love all the delicious options that a charcuterie tray can provide. 

Eat Black Eyed Peas & Greens for Luck 

Eating Black Eyed Peas is one of my favorite New Year's traditions. If you want an easy recipe that incorporates both, check out my Tennessee Caviar (adapted from this). 

Stir together 2 cans of black eyed peas (drained), one can Ro-Tel, and one can yellow corn (drained). Add 2 cups of zesty Italian salad dressing and stir well. Refrigerate for at least one hour, up to overnight. You can also add shredded kale or spinach as a garnish. 

Beans and greens eaten on New Year's are said to bring good fortune because they resemble money (coins and dollars). Who couldn't use a little more of the green stuff? Eat up! 

Eat Round, Sweet Foods in Honor of Life's Continuous Circle

From donuts to cookies, or cakes, many cultures enjoy sweet round foods as part of their New Year's celebrations. It may be because they represent the circle of life, the way things flow from the end of one year to the beginning of another. 

Cream puffs or profiteroles are a great option for a New Year's party. You could even set up a cream puff station and let guests add their own toppings. Offer things like chocolate and caramel dipping sauces, whipped cream, and sprinkles for a fun DIY dessert bar. 

Eat 12 Grapes at the Stroke of Midnight for Good Fortune in the New Year

New Year's traditions in Spain include eating 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight. Supposedly this began after a grape surplus in the early 20th century. The idea is to eat all 12 grapes while the clock is striking midnight. Each is supposed to represent the months of the coming year. 

To make your New Year's grapes feel a bit more special, try sugaring them. Rinse grapes and then dust them lightly with caster sugar or powdered Jell-O for a bit more flavor. As they dry, the sugar will crystallize and create a lovely treat. 

Whatever you do eat, don't eat lobster on New Year's...since they move backwards, it's said that eating this can cause you to have regrets in the New Year. And we don't need any of that! 

Last Minute New Year's Eve Party Ideas!

Another year is nearly over and it's time to celebrate! New Year's Eve parties are fun, but whether you're living it up with a hundred of your closest friends or snuggling with your sweetie on the couch, you definitely don't want it to be stressful.

That's why I'm sharing some fun & simple New Year's Eve party ideas! So you waited til the last minute...no big deal! You can still make New Year's special and memorable. Check out my suggestions and incorporate them into your celebration.

1) Pucker UP! - A Delicious Cocktail for New Year's Eve

You'll need: 

1 lemon, cut into slices
Limoncello (lemon-flavored liqueur)
Fresh lemon juice
1 (750-milliliter) bottle brut Champagne, chilled

To make this tasty drink, add a spoonful of the lemon liqueur to a glass. Stir in a spoonful of lemon juice. Top with champagne and garnish with a lemon slice.

It's a little tart, hence the name, but the strike of midnight on New Year's Eve is also a time for kissing, so get prepared to pucker up! Enjoy!

2) Black-eyed Pea Hummus - 

Black-eyed peas have long been thought to bring good luck when eaten on New Year's Day. Get a head start with this tasty adaptation of Blackberry Farm's Black-eyed Pea Hummus.

You'll need: 

1 can of Black-eyed peas (rinsed)
1 T minced garlic
5 T olive oil
Coarse salt & Fresh ground pepper
1 T fresh lemon juice

In a food processor, pulse peas, lemon juice and garlic. When it forms a paste-like consistency, add in olive oil while processing a bit more. Add salt (and pepper) to taste.

Enjoy with crusty bread, crackers, carrot sticks, and other nibbles.

3) Ring in the New Year, with Ring-Shaped Desserts!

Did you know that ring-shaped desserts are thought to symbolize wealth and prosperity? Incorporate some of your own favorite ring-shaped foods, like doughnuts, or mini-bundt cakes.

Knoxville has a new business called Nothing Bundt Cakes that has some incredible options! I picked up their December Flavor of the Month, Peppermint Chocolate and can't wait to enjoy it.

Some other New Year's traditions you might want to try:

• Eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight, one for each month of the past year. 
• Incorporate lentils or other beans into your New Year's meal...these are supposed to symbolize coins, a.k.a. moolah or prosperity to come.
• Greens like collards or chard may also bring good luck if eaten on New Year's Day
• Pork, with its high fat content, may bring you luck. We grew up eating Hog's Jowl, but other cuts will also do. 
• Toss a bucket of water out the front door of your house after the stroke of midnight, signifying "Out with the old, In with the new." 

Eat up for Luck and Prosperity in the New Year!

Southerners have many traditions tied to food but one that is probably most popular has to do with ringing in the New Year. Black-eyed peas and greens are two foods that are traditionally eaten, but who says you can't try a new twist on an old favorite?

I'm sharing three new ways to try black-eyed peas and greens to usher in health & good fortune in 2015. I hope you enjoy! 

1) Crunchy Baked Beans & Greens

This is a variation on black-eyed peas and collard greens that would make a great healthy snack.

Drain and rinse two cans of black-eyed peas. Toss with a couple tablespoons of olive oil and arrange on a baking stone or cookie sheet. Sprinkle with your favorite seasoning mix. Roast at 250 degrees for a couple of hours until the peas are crunchy.

Rinse and dry collard greens. Tear a few leaves of collard greens into smaller pieces. Arrange in a single layer on a baking stone or cookie sheet. Spritz or brush with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt.

Bake at 300 degrees until the greens get crispy and dry (approx. 15 minutes). Serve immediately with crunchy peas and enjoy!

2) Tennessee Caviar Cocktails

This is a beloved appetizer that always gets eaten up at parties and gatherings whenever I make it. A variation on another recipe (called Georgia Caviar), it's simple to make and so delicious!

Mix 2 cans of black-eyed peas (drained and rinsed) with two cans of Ro-Tel tomatoes. Stir in a cup of raw, chopped collard greens (sliced in strips). Add 2 cups of Zesty Italian salad dressing and stir everything together. Chill before serving and let the flavors mingle for maximum impact.

Serve in individual cocktail glasses with a pickled okra garnish.

3) Black-eyed Pea Burgers

For a great main dish to enjoy on New Year's Day, try my black-eyed pea burgers.

To make them, you'll need two cans of black-eyed peas, 2 cups of bread crumbs and an egg.

Drain the peas, but reserve the liquid. Mash peas with a fork until they are thick and crumbly. Stir in the egg and gradually add bread crumbs until you get the consistency to make patties. Add some of the pea liquid as needed.

Pan fry each patty in a skillet over medium heat until the outside is seared. Then bake at 350 degrees for an additional 10 minutes until centers are cooked throughout. 

Serve on a bun with raw collards instead of lettuce. Another variation is to serve without a bun atop a bed of sautéed greens.

Eat up and enjoy good luck and prosperity in the New Year! 

Improvements a' la Home: Getting Organized

A new year has begun and doesn't it feel like a clean slate? I don't know about y'all, but I've been spending quite a bit of time cleaning and de-cluttering my home and it feels great. I'm joining those fab folks on Knoxville's WTNZ Fox43 this morning and I'm excited to be sharing some easy ideas that have helped me get organized without spending much (if any) money.

This segment could also be called "new uses for old things," because I love to take things I already have and find new and unique ways to put them to use!

1. That Can-Do Attitude (Mason jar trinket organizers) - It's no secret that I love canning jars....even though I'm ashamed to say I've never actually canned. I always have extras around the house and I use them for all sorts of things. I wanted to organize some of my office supplies so I spray painted the lids of three jars in three fun colors (the left is a pale mint green, but it reads in the picture as white).

Now my assorted clips have a new home and my twine (center) will be tangle free when I'm ready to snip a piece (it's threaded through a hole I punched in the top of the jar).

2. Raid the Kitchen - There are all sorts of fancy schmancy organization/home stores that sell containers galore, but instead of spending a lot of money, I'd rather just use what I have on hand. I always raid my kitchen when I'm looking for containers to use for organizing. I have several bowls that I use to organize bracelets and rings. And while shopping at one of my favorite thrift stores recently, I picked up a couple of retro ashtrays that will make a  great catch-all for change, keys and lipstick.

It may sound cliche but the old adage "a place for every thing and everything in its place" does help when trying to stay organized!

3. Frame it up! - My final organizing ideas are oldies but goodies. By getting a little bit creative, you can do so much with just a little. Picture frames can become a lovely vanity tray with the simple addition of a sheet of paper behind the glass. And you may have seen this picture frame earring holder around the blogosphere, but mine makes getting dressed in the morning such a breeze, I wanted to share it again. If you're still digging through jewelry boxes of earrings when trying to pick out your accessories, do yourself a favor and give this easy project a try! You'll be able to see what  jewelry options you have and nothing gets tangled or jumbled. Easy peasy!

As a recovering pack rat, I know firsthand that the biggest enemy of creativity is clutter. I've been hauling stuff to my local thrift store like crazy and just freeing up some space in my home has helped me get much more organized already. I hope you'll try some of these ideas or others that strike your fancy. I wish for you (and me!) a clutter-free, creative and productive 2013!

Happy New Year from Southern Belle Simple

January 1, 2012 started out kind of gray and gloomy in my neck of the woods. The southern beau and I were enjoying a little New Year’s breakfast when a dark sky opened up and poured rain for a couple of hours. We mucked around in the rain for a bit and then out of nowhere the sun appeared and the gray sky changed to blue.

A new year gets everyone thinking about new beginnings. So often we judge things by how they begin. It’s hard not to put pressure on ourselves and feel discouraged if circumstances don’t seem to be headed in the way we want them to. I’m trying to remember, as my great-grandmother said to me once “that we must hoe each row all the way to the end,” even though it’s my tendency to get stuck somewhere in the middle.

This year I’m going to quit trying so hard at things that don’t matter and focus more on enjoying the things that do. I going to be my true self, even as I’m still figuring out who that is. I’m going for more quality, less quantity in the hope of living more in the moment rather than longing for the moments to come.

A gorgeous morning doesn’t guarantee a perfect day. Just like a perfect New Year’s doesn’t guarantee a great year. We often forget that the the darkest and gloomiest of mornings can sometimes turn into the loveliest of afternoons.

I hope you’ll join me this year in believing there are amazing times ahead, encouraging each other through the rainy days and celebrating the blue skies together.

{images via flickr Poppy Thomas-Hill}

Anti-Recipes: Black Eyed-Peas for New Years

The southern beau and I rang in the New Year with a hearty bowl of black eyed-peas for good luck in 2012. While I don’t really put too much stock in superstitions, we’ve carried out this tradition for years now and it’s a fun way to celebrate the evening.

We watched The Help (he hadn’t seen it yet) and I managed to stay awake (barely) until 12:01. I hope you had a wonderful New Year’s too. There’s still time to eat some peas (and hog’s jowl) today, if you’re so inclined.

Happy 2012 my friend!

Now, would anyone be willing to share his or her resolutions? I have a couple, although I’m not really fond of that word. I’ll be back tomorrow to share a few.

The End of Ten, 2010 that is…

I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday season. I can’t believe it is the last day of 2010. When I was in the 2nd grade, my class was part of a big anti-smoking initiative and I can remember the teachers telling us we were the (Smoke Free!) Class of 2000 and it seemed like such a mysterious thing. Then the year 2000 finally came and went (without much ado) and here we are on the cusp of 2011. Time really does fly. Just a short year ago, this blog was still a secret pastime of mine and now there are actual real live people who read it. Oh how I love you real live people….even those who don’t comment.

Since they are on our minds, I figured I’d mention New Year’s Resolutions. I’ve only made a few successful resolutions in past years (one being that I didn’t drink any juice made from concentrate, another that I didn’t wear the color red) and none have had any real lasting effect on my life. My friend Rachel and I are toying with the idea of resolving to never leave the house without makeup on, but I’m not sure my skin can handle it.

Instead of making lots of resolutions that I will ultimately fail at and end up feeling all the worse, I have decided to compile a list of things that I already try to do in the hopes of doing them more often in the coming year.

In no particular order….

Play more

Worry less 

Make better use of my imagination (an imagination is a glorious gift that for some, I fear, gets pushed to the back of the shelf when we reach a certain age…..let’s put an end to this, ok?)

Walk by faith…not by sight

Ask questions and really listen to their answers

Be brave

Don’t be afraid to cry

Believe that since dreams spring up in us for a reason, surely they will come true

Look for new dreams that haven’t yet sprung up

Encourage the dreams of others, especially when they need encouragement the most

Eat more fresh fruits & veggies

Accessorize, for this ability is the only thing that separates us from the animals! (according to Coco Chanel)

Wear more sunscreen

Contribute something to the world that is uniquely my own

Show appreciation to others for their contributions

Remember who I am & where I come from

Celebrate the lives of those I have loved by re-telling their stories, recreating their delicious recipes, reliving their traditions, and remembering them fondly on this blog

 

I’m so excited about what the new year has to offer us and I can’t wait to experience it with all of you! Thanks for being part of my world and allowing me to be part of yours…Hooray for 2011! See you next year!

{all photos courtesy my talented cousin Ayla W.}