2017 was a bittersweet year for me. I lost my mama, but gained a new little boy. I’m looking forward to New Year’s Day as a way to move forward and look for the good in the world.
New Year’s Day (when there’s no hangover involved) has always one of my favorite days of the year. Everything seems new, full of possibilities, everyone sticks close to home, hanging by a fire, watching football, and eating greens, cornbread, and black eyed peas….it’s basically the perfect day for cold icy weather (which the south is getting in spades tonight).
The thing is, I know that not everybody is crazy about the New year’s Day tradition of eating greens for money and black eyed peas for luck.Maybe you’re the kind of person who loves a warm bowl of chili instead while you watch the game. Well, lucky for you, I AM crazy about it, and always try to find new ways to eat my greens & peas. My aunt passed along a version of this recipe to me last year and after seeing how fast it disappeared at my little get together last year, it’s going to be a STAPLE every time. It’s basically spinach-artichoke dip all southerned-up. Once you’ve tasted it, it’ll be on your table every year, too.
- 8 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled
- 1 Tablespoon bacon grease
- ½ yellow onion, minced
- 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ white wine
- 2 (16 oz) package of frozen chopped turnip greens, thawed and squeezed of excess water
- 1 block of cream cheese, cut into small pieces
- ½ Cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 (8 oz) container of sour cream
- ½ to 1 tsp. dried crushed red pepper flakes
- salt & pepper to taste
- ¾ cup grated parmesan
- Cook bacon until crisp and reserve 1 Tablespoon of the grease.
- Sautee' the onion and garlic in the grease until transluscent, add the wine and cook 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add in the turnip greens, the cream cheese, the sour cream, and the red pepper flakes and the salt.
- Stir frequently while cooking until the cheese is melted and everything has heated through.
- Transfer to an oven-safe, greased serving container and broil until the cheese is lightly browned.
- Sprinkle with bacon and serve with chips or slices of toast and hot sauce.
I made something similar for Christmas Eve that included diced water chestnuts. Yes, it’s a great go-to recipe!
Shirley