New Year’s Soup

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New Year’s Soup 2025: Black-Eyed Peas, Sausage, and Collard Greens

This hearty, flavorful soup is perfect for welcoming the New Year with tradition and love. Packed with black-eyed peas (symbolizing good luck), tender collard greens, and savory sausage, it’s a one-pot meal that warms both the body and the soul. This recipe is written to reflect a warm, intuitive cooking style—because sometimes, the best dishes don’t come with exact measurements but with passion and taste!

Ingredients:

  1. Black-Eyed Peas and Collards:
    • 1 lb dried black-eyed peas (soaked for a few hours)
    • 4 bunches of fresh collard greens, washed, stems trimmed, and roughly chopped
  2. Meat and Stock:
    • 2 lbs pork sausage links or smoked sausage, cooked in a skillet and sliced
    • 2 small cartons chicken stock (approx. 8 cups)
  3. Flavor Base:
    • 1 1/2 tsp minced garlic
    • 1 large can of Rotel tomatoes (diced tomatoes with green chilies)
    • 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
    • 1 tbsp tomato paste
    • 1 tbsp (or less) sugar, to balance bitterness from the greens
    • Dash of hot sauce (optional, for heat)
    • Salt and pepper to taste (added toward the end of cooking)
  4. Water:
    • Approximately 1 1/2 cups, or more as needed after cooking begins

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Black-Eyed Peas

  1. Rinse and sort the black-eyed peas.
  2. Soak the peas for a few hours (no need to soak overnight).

Step 2: Cook the Sausage

  1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage links until browned.
  2. Slice into bite-sized pieces and set aside.

Step 3: Build the Soup in the Crockpot

  1. Add the soaked black-eyed peas, collard greens, cooked sausage, chicken stock, and water to your crockpot.
  2. Stir in the minced garlic, Rotel tomatoes, apple cider vinegar, tomato paste, and sugar.

Step 4: Cook Low and Slow

  1. Cover and cook on low for at least 10 hours or overnight.
  2. Stir occasionally, taste, and adjust the water or seasonings as needed during the last few hours of cooking.

Step 5: Final Seasoning

  1. Toward the end of cooking, add a dash of salt and pepper to enhance the flavors.
  2. If desired, stir in a splash of hot sauce for a little kick.

Serving Suggestions:

  • Serve this soul-warming soup with cornbread or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth.
  • Add a simple side of rice if you want to stretch the meal further.

Tips and Variations:

  • Meat Alternatives: Try smoked ham hocks or turkey necks for a smoky flavor.
  • Beans: Experiment with a mix of black-eyed peas and other legumes, like pinto beans or navy beans.
  • Greens: If collard greens aren’t available, substitute with kale or mustard greens.
  • Freezer-Friendly: This soup freezes well! Cool completely, portion into containers, and freeze for up to 3 months.

This recipe is more than just food; it’s a labor of love, steeped in tradition and care. Whether you’re cooking for family or friends, it’s the perfect way to ring in the New Year with a full belly and warm heart.

Wishing you a joyous and delicious 2025! “Spread kindness with cooking.”

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