We've recently started putting together a menu of what is often considered traditional American fare for dinner on New Year's Day. We prepared and served all of it this past year, and everything was a hit. But morever, nearly every dish has some sort of significance or symbolism that it carries--sort of a good luck wish for the coming year!
Cajun
Spiced Shrimp
Shrimp signify good fortune and happiness, so what
better way to start out the New Year, especially with a spicy Cajun
flair!
Roasted Pork Loin
Pork is a very traditional New Year's dish. The New Year
is a time to look forward, and what better meat to serve since a
pig cannot look back! We always serve a roasted pork loin, but try
to spice it differently every year.
Black-Eyed
Peas
Black-eyed peas are not only traditional southern fare,
but bring added significance on New Years. They are said to represent
coins, and therefore bring prosperity to the coming year.
Southern-Style
Greens
Another traditional southern dish, greens also are said
to bring prosperity and wealth in the coming year since they represent
green-backs!
Sweet Potatoes
They can be candied, served with marshmallows, battered
and baked into spicy South African sweet potato fries...we've even
done cardamom-vanilla spiced sweet potatoes! They're not a dish
of great significance, but they taste and look great with the rest
of the food served.
Honey Cornbread
To round out a good, hearty, traditional meal, a sweet honey cornbread is served. This really adds to that southern feel.
Our dessert changes from year to year. Some years it's poached pears with creme freche, other years it's a simple pie or cobbler. It's always different so as to add a unique touch to finish off the year's first dinner.
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