NEW YEARS BLACK-EYED PEAS

1 1/2 cups black eyed peas, soaked overnight (discard anything that floats)

2 TB butter or oil

Chopped ham, celery, onion, green pepper, garlic

Chicken stock

Bay leaf

Pepper and Cajun seasoning (there is salt in the Cajun seasoning)

Rice for serving   

Sauté chopped ingredients in butter or oil five minutes. Add peas, stock and seasonings, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 40 minutes or until peas are tender.

They can also go in a crock pot for 3 hours on high.

Serve over rice.

If you like things spicy, hot sauce is good on these.  

Serves 4, double if needed.

SEAN'S SPICE COOKIES

1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 3/4 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp cloves
2/3 cup chopped almonds
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Zest and juice of one orange

Chop nuts into separate bowl, add orange zest.

Mix butter, sugars, egg, vanilla, and orange juice in mixing bowl until smooth then stir in flour, spices.

Add zest/nuts mixture after dough is fully blended.
Bake eyeball sized clumps at 375° for ten minutes.

GRAMMY'S IRISH SODA BREAD

3 cups flour
1 tsp salt
½ cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder

 ½ tsp baking soda

2 eggs

2 cups sour cream

1/4 cup butter, softened

1/4 cup milk

1 cup raisins

Put dry ingredients in a large bowl, mix well

Beat 2 eggs, 2 cups sour cream, ¼ cup butter and ¼ cup milk
Add to dry ingredients and mix well.
Add one cup raisins. 

If the dough is too stiff, add a little milk.
Turn onto a pan lined with parchment and pat into a round loaf with floured hands.
Cut a cross on top

Bake at 375° 50 minutes or until lightly golden.

MACARONI AND CHEESE

(This makes a big pan of macaroni and cheese. You can cut the recipe in half for a smaller batch or freeze the leftovers in individual serving size containers)
8 ounces macaroni (3/4 box)
4 TB butter
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 TB flour
½ TB dry mustard
1 tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
1 ½ cups milk
2 cups shredded cheddar
Bread crumbs mixed with 1 TB butter
Optional add in: Chopped ham 

Preheat oven to 350°.
Grease 9x13 baking pan
Cook macaroni until done, drain, put in greased baking pan. Add chopped ham if using. 
Melt butter in saucepan, add onion, cook on low five minutes.
Add flour, dry mustard, salt and pepper. Whisk until blended.
Whisk in milk, whisk until blended. Remove from heat, stir in cheese.
Pour cheese sauce over macaroni. Blend. 
Mix bread crumbs and butter. 
Sprinkle macaroni and cheese with bread crumbs. 
Bake 20 minutes, then let stand 15 minutes before serving.

PUMPKIN LATTE

½ cup milk
 ½ cup strong coffee
2 tablespoons pumpkin purée
2 tablespoons sugar (more to sweeten)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
Whipped cream for topping. 

Add pumpkin purée, milk, and sugar to a small pot over medium heat and whisk quickly for about 5 minutes.
Add in spices and vanilla, and continue to whisk.
Pour in a large mug, add hot coffee, top with whipped cream.