Chicago Tribune photo by Zbigniew Bzdak/December 29, 2007
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My momma taught me right, that eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day are the key to luck and success for the coming year. I grew up in the south, in Plano, Texas – a gigantic suburb of Dallas. Sure, my mom’s from Pittsburgh and my dad’s from Chicago, but somehow they took to life in the Lone Star State.
Naturally, I had my can o’ black-eyed peas ready to go. I also cut out a recipe for Alda Rae’s “Tennessee Caviar” from a Daily Candy e-mail I received that day. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the right kind of vinegar… so I made up my own recipe. I was a bit frightened by the prospect of combining the peas with raspberry balsamic vinegar, but it played out nicely. Along with the lemon, it gives them a summery flavor. And wouldn’t you know it, luck tastes even better the next day.
Luck!
1 can black-eyed peas
1-1/2 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp raspberry balsamic vinegar
Lemon pepper, to taste
1 dash lemon juice
Sea salt, to taste
Serves 4.
How would the folktale of Old Man Winter change in the advent of global warming? The readers of Faces magazine will find out, when my adaptation of the tale appears in their April 2008 environmentalism-themed issue.
Faces is a magazine about world cultures for kids aged 9-14. Each themed issue immerses its readers in unfamiliar customs and traditions through articles, activities, and retold folktales. (In case you were wondering, the story of Old Man Winter is derived from the Russian folktale “Morozko”.) Faces is part of the Cricket Magazine Group, which also includes Cobblestone, Spider, and Odyssey.
I’m just putting the final touches on the story now. In three short months, the issue will be in subscribers’ hands, sitting in kids’ bookstores, and available to order online.
It’s my first magazine publication, and I’m so excited!
Here are some additional pics from the Critical Mass holiday party. Simon LeBon indeed!
Evelyn got a shot with Lebon
Ohmigod, is that Margo & Jed?
We like to dance and point.
Margoblog 