Luck & Prosperity in 2013

Blackened Catfish with 

Black Eyed Pea Patties & Garlic Green Beans

Black-eyed peas are a southern inspired New Year's tradition in our household, believed to usher in good luck & prosperity throughout the year. Embracing the southern tradition, we paired these black eyed pea patties with blackened catfish & garlicky green beans along with a spoonful of late harvest tomato chutney. 

What traditional foods do you eat on New Year's day?

Blackened Catfish

ingredients:
1 cup panko bread crumbs

3 tbsp blackened seasoning 

3 catfish fillets

1 egg, slightly beaten
3 thick pads butter

1. combine the panko & blackened seasoning in a large, shallow dish

2. dredge each side of the catfish fillets through the egg. then immediately dredge each side of the catfish fillets through the panko mixture.

3. melt the butter over high heat in a steel or cast iron pan. when the butter bubbles a bit, add the fish fillets.

4. depending on the thickness of the fillet, cook fish until each side blackens & the inside meat is flaky white. 

note of thanks! the catfish we used was compliments of the world's best outdoorsman, my father

Black Eyed Pea Patties

ingredients:

1 can black eyed peas

2/3 cup all purpose flour, more as needed to bind patties
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 tsp Creole Seasoning (we use Tony Chachere's)
1 dash fresh ground pepper
vegetable oil for frying

1. rinse the peas in a colander

2. line a large bowl with the flour & add black eyed peas

3. mash the peas with the back of a fork or a wooden spoon into the flour until the consistency becomes more or less uniform, it is fine if some beans keep their original shape.

4. using hands, mix in egg, Creole Seasoning & pepper. form patties about one inch thick by 2 inches round. 

5. bring vegetable oil to high heat in large non-stick skillet (oil is ready when a drop of water pops). add patties & fry on each side until golden brown.

note: we used cornmeal in lieu of flour & the patties were a bit dry and crumbly, flour should make for a better binding agent here.

Garlicky Green Beans

ingredients:
1 lb fresh green beans, ends trimmed
1 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup panko
salt & pepper to taste

1. pre-heat oven to 400F

2. line a large baking sheet with string beans

3. drizzle olive oil over the beans. press garlic into the beans & sprinkle panko over the beans. 

4. using hands, mix the beans & other ingredients until evenly coated.

5. bake the beans for approximately 10 minutes or until slightly crispy.

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2013 photo credit