Down South, we are a superstitious lot and New Year’s is no exception.
If your team isn’t winning at halftime, you change shirts.
Don’t walk under a ladder or open an umbrella inside. It’s bad luck.
When your grandmother dies, cover the mirrors or her spirit will get trapped.
And we eat beans, greens, and cornbread and banana pudding on New Year’s Day. Those are so we can have a new year full of prosperity, luck, and wealth. My favorite first day of a new year recipes are these:
My Daddy’s Banana Pudding
A dairy-free take on the banana pudding I grew up with, my daddy's favorite dessert! It's layered with homemade wafers, bananas, and vanilla cream sweet potato pudding. It's an old family favorite, remade and meant for gathering, remembering, and lingering.
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Smokey Braised Greens
Smoky, slow-braised greens deliver classic Southern comfort without pork. These are deeply savory, budget-friendly, and nourishing. Perfect alongside beans and cornbread for an easy, satisfying, everyday meal.
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Golden Cornbread
Golden skillet cornbread made from simple pantry staples, lightly sweet and deeply comforting. This oil-free plant-based classic bakes fast, feeds a crowd, and belongs beside every pot of beans or chili.
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Smokey Pinto Beans
Pintos are a staple of a Southern diet and this version is about as smoky as a pork-based version can be. Paired with a good, solid cornbread and you're in heaven!
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