Instructions: Traditional New Years good luck dish of the American Southern States has 4 ounces of sliced bacon, cut crosswise into 1/2 wide pieces. (1/4" dice if using slab bacon with its rind removed). Brown, crisp, drain on paper toweling. Reserve 3 tablespoons of the bacon fat and use it to saute onion etc. McNairs touch: white rice cooked in broth; diced red and/or green peppers. The crisp bacon would be crumbled and used as a garnish.

*Degrees of doneness: Cooked Black-eyed peas, canned or homemade, may be used in place of frozen: but canned tend to be fully cooked and too soft.

The beans should be done yet crunchy (about 20 to 30 minutes shy of tender). Frozen peas are ideal for this recipe. They require an additional 20-30 minutes cooking (check package).

TIP: Dried BEPs double their
volume when cooked.

In a heavy saucepan over medium-high, add oil and onion. Stir to coat onion. When hot enough to saute, add celery and bell peppers. Saute until the vegetables are soft, about 5 mins. Add cooking spray or a little water if necessary to prevent browning.

Stir in the peas, garlic, thyme, bay leaf, and just enough water (broth)

to cover barely. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook, partially covered, until the peas are tender but still hold their shape, 15 to 25 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook the rice (white or brown) in broth.

TIP: Brown rice may be
cooked in water with a piece of lemon peel (dime-sized).

Stir tomato concasser into peas and simmer uncovered, about 5 minutes.

Stir in the rice, season to taste with salt and generous amount of ground pepper and hot sauce, and heat through, about 2 minutes. Stir in most o the green onion and chopped parsley. Transfer to a serving dish, garnish with parsley sprigs and serve hot.

Tested

MEAT VARIATIONS: If we added 4 ounces 1/4" dice lean ham: PER SERVING: 282

NOTES : Ive tested this. The result depends upon the vegetable broth

(Flavor and color). You might try it with the brown rice steamed with lemon peel; use the broth with the beans

TIP: If you let the rice cool before putting into the casserole, it doesnt take on as much color from the other ingredients; so long as it doesnt get too dry. Add meat ham or bacon if you want and use the meat, warmed, as a garnish.

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