Can you fill your belly and your wallet?

Many people will celebrate New Year's Day with meals that have special signficance to them. Whether you're eating kraut and pork tenderloin, tamales or mochi, cultural traditions and the meals that go along with them are tasty ways to start 2007.

On Jan. 1, I'm going to prepare this dish, a family favorite that is steeped in Southern and African-American tradition. Eating black eyed peas the first day of the year is believed to bring you luck and money for the next 364. Why chance it? Go ahead and eat up.

Serve this with greens or cabbage and corn bread for even more greenbacks next year, according to lore.

Hoppin' John
1 pound ground sausage (I recommend a spicy one)
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped green pepper
1 14-ounce can chicken broth
1 cup converted rice
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 bay leaf
2 14-ounce cans black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
hot sauce to taste

Saute sausage, onion, green pepper and celery in a large pot over medium-high heat. Drain and return to the pot. Add chicken broth, rice, garlic powder, salt, black pepper and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
Add black-eyed peas to the pot and simmer an additional 10 minutes or until liquid is absorbed into the rice. Add hot sauce to taste.
Makes about 8 servings (or 4-5 if your guests are a tad greedy).

Happy New Year!