I made a big batch of blackeye peas yesterday because when cooked and served on New Year's Day blackeye peas are supposed to ensure a prosperous and lucky new year.  It's a Southern tradition but why shouldn't I have a little prosperity and luck in the new year even if I grew up in the Pacific Northwest?

So my friend (and my brother's girlfriend) K. and I made a big batch of blackeye peas and rice. I even took some pictures while we were cooking. That's because the recipe really only requires chopping and some stirring.

[caption id="attachment_4094" align="alignleft" width="614" caption="Green Peppers!"]<a rel="attachment wp-att-4094" href="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4094"><img class="size-large wp-image-4094 " title="Green Peppers!" src="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6894-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="614" height="409" /></a>[/caption]

Chop: green peppers, onions, carrots, garlic.

[caption id="attachment_4095" align="alignleft" width="614" caption="Onions and green pepper"]<a rel="attachment wp-att-4095" href="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4095"><img class="size-large wp-image-4095 " title="Onions and green pepper" src="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6902-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="614" height="409" /></a>[/caption]

Cut-up the bacon. Fry bacon and when all but done add veggies to cook with bacon until soft.

[caption id="attachment_4096" align="alignleft" width="614" caption="Bacon, bacon, bacon"]<a rel="attachment wp-att-4096" href="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4096"><img class="size-large wp-image-4096 " title="Bacon, bacon, bacon" src="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6898-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="614" height="409" /></a>[/caption]

Then add all of this to the beans simmering on the stove in chicken stock.

[caption id="attachment_4097" align="alignleft" width="614" caption="Blackeye Peas"]<a rel="attachment wp-att-4097" href="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4097"><img class="size-large wp-image-4097 " title="Blackeye Peas" src="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_6901-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="614" height="409" /></a>[/caption]

Then you let everything cook and cook on the stove.