The new year is just around the corner and this year’s celebration will likely be a small gathering rather than a more elaborate party. That doesn’t mean you have to compromise on holiday traditions or delicious dinner ideas though. Whether you’re ready to ring in the new year with cheers, or bid farewell to the old one with jeers, your crew needs to eat. We’re here to help with all the luckiest foods you need on your table.
New Year’s dinner tables have showcased the luckiest foods around for centuries, and with good reason. The passage of time is worth reflection. As we consider all that has transpired over the course of the past twelve months, our thoughts are drawn to the new year, and all the hopes, goals and dreams we hold close. Who wouldn’t want a little extra luck on their side? Throughout history, various foods have been considered “good luck,” and today we’re sharing a few lucky dinner ideas you’ll love.
Black eyed peas are served with greens and cornbread on New Year’s Day because tradition asserts they can bring good fortune in the form of pennies, dollars and gold; the peas represent pennies, greens represent dollars and cornbread represents gold. This lucky menu trio has been prepared in the southern United States since shortly after the Civil War, and holiday popularity has spread to other parts of the country as well.
As you plan your New Year’s spread, try this delightful Baked Black Eyed Peas Recipe. Brisket, black eyed peas, onion, garlic, jalapeno, molasses, brown sugar, English mustard, chili powder, whole cloves, salt and pepper work together to create a smash hit everyone around your table will savor. Our customer favorite Creamed Spinach is the perfect way to get in your “greens,” and don’t forget the Cornbread Dressing!
With the arrival of the new year, it’s customary for individuals to set goals, whether personal, financial, career, or even family goals. Some people choose a word or phrase to focus on throughout the coming year, while others record short and long-term goals to help keep them on track. Regardless of your personal tradition, pork deserves a spot on your New Year’s dinner table. Pork is considered good luck for progress in the year ahead, and we are here for it.
If your heart is set on spiral-sliced ham, we won’t stand in your way…but on the chance that you’re “hammed” out, we humbly offer a few alternatives.
Whether you prefer salmon, halibut or ahi tuna, there’s no time like New Year’s to feed your craving for “surf.” Dining on fish for New Year’s is considered good luck for abundance in the year to come, and small gatherings are the perfect opportunity to add your favorite seafood dish to the menu. Prepare Wild Caught Sockeye Salmon on the grill and serve with wild rice and the vibrant Winter Fruit Salad below, or pair Wild Caught Pacific Halibut with a butter-tender Filet Mignon for a true “surf ‘n’ turf” delight.
Oranges and Honey are purported to yield wealth and gold in the new year, so if you’re on board with good fortune be sure to include them in your New Year’s dinner. Check both boxes with mouthwatering Orange Rosemary Ham Glaze to serve over your holiday spiral sliced ham, or serve a bright Winter Fruit Salad alongside your main entree.
New Year’s tradition historically calls for round cake, and while some sources say round cake symbolizes the circle of life, it’s generally accepted that round-shaped foods (the round shape resembles coins) are good luck for increased wealth. Regardless of the reason, you don’t have to tell us twice. This year, whip up your favorite cake, or choose one of our favorites: Lemon Cream Cake, decadent Mississippi Mud Cake, or our signature Chocolate Truffle Lava Cake.
You’re ready for a delightful intimate New Year’s dinner filled with all the luck, and after the year you’ve endured, we think you’ve earned it! Share with someone who is ready to ring in 2021, then tell us your favorite New Year’s dish in the comments below!
