Black Eyed Peas for a Healthy and Prosperous New Year

The tradition in our house, from my earliest memory, has always been black-eyed peas on New Years Day.  It is a Southern Tradition to serve black-eyed peas in order to ensure a prosperous New Year.  I have carried this tradition into my own home and my kids look forward to it every year.

Black Eyed Peas

1 lb ham, we used the left over from our Christmas ham, chopped into bit size pieces

3 packages frozen black-eyed peas

1 medium onion, chopped

3 bay leaves

2 qts. soup stock, I use half chicken and half beef

3 cloves garlic, finely minced

1 t thyme

1 t basil

1/2 t oregano

Brown the ham in a stock pot until nicely colored.  Add the frozen peas and stir to coat in the drippings from the ham.  Add the all the other ingredients and allow to simmer for 2 hours or until the peas are thoroughly cooked.  Serve with cornbread and collard greens.