I’ve whipped up my version of Hoppin’ John, a traditional Southern dish made with black eyed peas, rice and ham eaten to ensure prosperity in the in the New Year. My  Black Eyed Pea Grain Bowl with Spicy Orange Dressing is easy to make and will fuel you up with healthy ingredients to start off 2018 with success! 

Read on to find out some of the details behind this New Year’s Day tradition and why I skipped the ham and added an egg, extra veggies and a fabulous spicy citrus dressing to my 20-minute meal. Although an old southern ritual, eating black eyed peas is pretty common practice around the U.S. these days. I remember my mom making me choke them down as a little kid, but today I love them! And, I’m glad I do, because black eyed peas are very nutrient rich with a 1/2 cup serving offering 18 grams of healthy complex carbs, no fat, and 7 grams of protein for 99 calories. They are also a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin A, calcium, magnesium and iron. So, you’ll be lucky in wealth and health eating my Black Eyed Pea Grain Bowl.

Also, I was taught at a young age, that the beans represent coins and that you should eat one bean for each day of the year – it’s a lot of beans, way more than one serving! That’s why I also ensure my good luck and fortune for the upcoming year with another tradition – eating collard greens to signify paper cash!

Eating black eyed peas should be the first thing consumed on New Year’s Day – that’s why I opted for the egg on top of my Black Eyed Pea Grain Bowl. However, let me assure you, this easy grain bowl is welcomed breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

To add a blast of unexpected flavor, I whisked up a sweet and spicy sauce to drizzle on top of my Black Eyed Pea Grain Bowl – Spicy Tangerine Dressing. It’s perfect to make with those adorable little Cuties or Halos that are so popular this time of year. A dollop of no-fat Greek yogurt adds a satisfying creamy texture to this “is it a sauce or dressing” that is so good on everything (salads, fish, eggs, quinoa).

Do you have any New Year’s traditions? What will you be doing to enjoy the 1^st day of 2018? Please share in the comments – XOXO, Jennifer

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Black Eyed Pea Grain Bowl with Spicy Tangerine Dressing 

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

10 mins

Total Time

15 mins

 

Enjoy this hearty, healthy whole grain bowl featuring Black Eyed Peas -- perfect for good luck eaten on New Year's Day -- or any time of the week!

Course: Breakfast, Main Dish

Cuisine: American, Southern

Servings: 2 servings

Ingredients

For bowl

• 2 cups cooked rice, quinoa, bulger, freekah, wheat berry or other whole grain of choice consider a mixture of whole grains!
• 1 15-ounce can black eyed peas drained and rinsed
• 6 ounces baby brussels sprouts cut in half
• 2 cups baby spinach leaves
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 large eggs

For dressing

• 1 small seedless tangerine like a Cutie or Halo
• 2 teaspoons fresh ginger juice or 1 teaspoon ginger past
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Sriracha sauce
• 1 tablespoon fat-free greek yogurt
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 1 tablespoon roasted pepita seeds

Instructions

Dressing:

1. Zest tangerine to get 1 tablespoon of zest, set aside. Peel and segment tangerine and add to blender. Add ginger juice.
2. Add all other dressing ingredients and blend for about 1 minute, or until smooth. Stir in zest and set in refrigerator until serving time.

Grain Bowl:

1. Add olive oil in skillet and place brussels sprouts in cut side down and cook over medium heat until beginning to soften and brown. Add spinach to skillet and wilt over medium heat for about 1 minute. Transfer and divide vegetables among two bowls.
2. Add eggs to same skillet and cook sunny side up, for several minutes or until desired yolk doneness. Set aside.
3. In microwave, warm beans and cooked rice. Divide among two bowls with vegetables.
4. Top each bowl with one cooked egg and drizzle with dressing. Optional: sprinkle with pepita seeds.