Smoked Turkey and Spinach Curry inspired by Bridget Jones's Diary | #FoodnFlix

"It all began on New Year's Day, in my 32nd year of being single. Once again I found myself on my own and going to my mother's annual turkey curry buffet."

She says it like it's a bad thing. I suppose that in Bridget's situation I may feel the same. But since my mother doesn't hold an yearly Turkey Curry Buffet, and never once tried to set me up when I was single, I find it a fairly brilliant tradition. I'm thinking about starting my own New Year's Day Turkey Curry Buffet tradition, actually. It sounds both fun and delicious. Of course, I also think a summertime "Tarts and Vicars" party would be a blast, so...

In case you hadn't guessed yet, this month the Food 'n Flix club is watching Bridget Jones's Diary. I was excited for this pick since I hadn't seen it in years. I watched it way back when, and have caught bits and pieces on tv now and again over the years, but I'd pretty much forgotten it. I couldn't actually recall any of the scenes if my life depended on it. Apparently I didn't appreciate it as much at 25 as I do at 39 (perfectly sandwiching the age that Bridget was slogging her way through in the film)...because certainly I would have remembered it if I did. That all changed after I cozied up with it on New Year's Eve this year. I kind of love it now.

Vassilopitta (New Year Wish Cake)

I love hearing people's new year traditions. Whether a tradition between a small family unit, or something native to a region or country, it's so fascinating to get that glimpse into what makes people tick. Growing up, we didn't really have many traditions revolving around welcoming a new year. Unless you count watching Dick Clark, counting down with the ball, and yelling "Happy New Year" as the hour changed, hugs and kisses all around. Okay, I guess that is a tradition in itself. But I'm thinking something beyond that.

A few years ago, I started with the twelve grapes at the twelve strokes of midnight thing. I always prepare five cups of twelve grapes and we try to gobble quickly as the year changes. It's a pretty fun tradition, but I don't like that it takes away from the kissing and hugging. I mean, giggles and gagging are always a good time, but I miss kisses and hugs with loved ones on the hour.

One tradition that I started myself when the kids were young is drinking mimosas all day on New Year's day. I used to pop the cork at midnight—and then I had kids. I just couldn't keep my eyes open long enough to enjoy a whole bottle of champagne before passing out (from exhaustion). So, I'd wait and the hubs and I would pop the cork as soon as we woke up...full bottles of orange juice (and maybe some other fun juices and additions) ready in the fridge. Don't worry (I know you were), I buy sparkling juices for the kids.

Ham & Greens Pot Pie w/ Cornbread Crust

I think the rich, savory combination of smoked ham, collard greens, and black-eyed peas is a combination that deserves to be enjoyed more than just once a year.  I mean, I don't know about about you, but I could use a little dose of good fortune at least once a month.

Black-Eyed Pea Dip

We had black-eyed peas two way on New Year's Day.  And neither was Hoppin' John, if you can believe that.  I almost can't believe it myself.  But I wanted to go a different route this year.  For lunch, we had little pot pies that had ham and collards along with the black-eyed peas (much like HJ, actually)... and a white cornbread crust.  That one is coming your way soon.

The other way we had 'em was in a dip.  A fairly unimpressive looking dip.  But the taste?  Oh, it was impressive.  And nobody stopped scooping until the dish was scraped clean.

Now, this isn't one of those ooey-gooey-oooh-and-aaah-at-the-site-of-glorious-cheese-ribbon dips.  It is a humble bean dip.  Easily overlooked next to its fromagey neighbors.  Just remember not to judge a book by its cover, okay?

That was one of the most valuable lessons my mama life has taught me.  While the stuff on the outside attracts your attention more easily, it's the stuff on the inside that you fall in love with.

Now hurry up and go get acquainted with this Black-Eyed Pea Dip.  Get lucky even after January 1st.

Black-Eyed Pea Dip

by Heather Schmitt-González

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Keywords: bake appetizer vegetarian beans cheese New Year Super Bowl American

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 1 (~15.5 oz.) can black-eyed peas, drained & lightly rinsed
• ½ c. (4 oz.) sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
• ½ c. (4 oz.) Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• ¼ c. sour cream
• 3 Tbs. roasted salsa verde
• ~1 Tbs. hot sauce (I used Cholula Chili Garlic)
• 1 jalapeño en escabeche (pickled), sliced or chopped
• 1 Tbs. minced, dried onion
• salt, to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350° F.

Place about ⅔ of the black-eyed peas into a medium-sized bowl and mash. Add the remaining whole beans to the bowl along with all of the other ingredients and mix well.

Dump the whole thing into a small baking dish that has been sprayed with non-stick spray. Slide into preheated oven and bake for ~30 minutes, or until hot and bubbling around the edges.

Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy.

adapted from The Pioneer Woman

Powered by Recipage

Champagne Punch

Over the  years, we've picked up a few different traditions for New Year's.  I don't usually go out on New Year's eve... mainly because I don't like to brave "the crazies".  That probably  means that I'm getting old.  But really, I just love being home surrounded by my family, waiting to watch New Year's Rockin' Eve.

A couple of years ago, we started "the grape tradition".  Have you heard of it?  Each person gets 12 grapes.  When the clock starts to strike 12, you have to start gobbling your grapes.  You need to (at least partially) chew each grape and be done with all of them by the time the final stroke rings out.  It's not as easy as it sounds.  A mixture of giggling and gagging never ceases to ensue.  Especially from my daughter of the extreme-gag-reflex.  But of course, she may be the biggest fan of the tradition!  Each grape signifies a month (in order)... so, if your grapes are particularly sweet or sour, you should watch for particularly good or rocky months (the month corresponds with the number of the grape, as in the first grape you eat = January, etc...).

And then there is New Year's day.  I almost always cook some variation on Hoppin' John.  Since the black-eyed peas and the greens represent good fortune in the new year (coins and dollars), I wouldn't want to invite disaster by not making it... making them.  This year I'm going for a casserole-style variation.  Watch for it in the new year!