2016 is quickly approaching! Have you decided what you will prepare for your New Year’s Day meal? Did you know there are a variety of foods you can enjoy on the first of the year that actually symbolize good fortune?
Cabbage or greens – to represent wealth
Beans – to symbolize coins
Noodles – for a long life
Rice, quinoa or barley – for abundance
Pomegranates – the many seeds symbolize prosperity
Figs – for fertility
Pork – Pigs are supposedly unable to look backwards, so they represent releasing the past and looking forward to the new year ahead
Cake – Shaped into a ring symbolizes life coming full circle
Fish – Scales represent coins in abundance
Cornbread – Gold
Try combining some of these lucky foods in the recipes below to feast for future fortune!
Pork and Sauerkraut with Potatoes
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients
2 cans (14 ounces each) sauerkraut, undrained
1 cup thinly sliced onion
2 medium tart apples, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup dark corn syrup
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon caraway seeds
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 large potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
6 Five Star bone-in pork loin chops (6 ounces each)
Preparation Directions
- In a large bowl, combine the sauerkraut, onion, apples, corn syrup, bay leaves, caraway and pepper. Spoon half into a 5-qt. slow cooker; top with potatoes.
- Broil pork chops 6 in. from the heat for 3-4 minutes on each side or until browned; place over potatoes. Spoon remaining sauerkraut mixture over pork.
- Cover and cook on high for 1 hour. Reduce heat to low; cook 4-5 hours longer or until meat is tender. Discard bay leaves.
Black Eyed Peas with Ham Hock
Ingredients
1 lb fresh or dried black eyed peas
1 qt water (or enough to cover beans)
1/2 lb Five Star ham hock or cooked boneless ham slices
Pinch of garlic or salt
Fresh black pepper
Crushed red pepper to taste
Preparation Directions
1. Combine all in a dutch oven on the stove and bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat to a medium-high and cook for 1 hour until peas are tender.
3. Add more water as needed.
Sauteed Cabbage with Bacon
Ingredients
1 Head cabbage, sliced
4 Strips bacon, cut into small pieces
1 Small onion, diced
Salt/pepper to taste
Preparation Directions
1. In a large saute pan, cook bacon until crisp.
2. Add in the onion and saute until soft.
3. Add in the cabbage and saute on a medium heat, tossing occastionally, until desired degree of doneness.
4. Season with salt and pepper and serve.
What are some of your favorite New Year’s Day recipes? Any we missed?
Do you ever prepare them with Five Star ingredients?
Tell us about them!