Happy New Year - wishing you Good Luck and Fortune in 2019

There are many foods that connotate good luck that are to be eaten on January first.  These are some of the most common.  I've linked each one with a recipe so you can enjoy and the best recipes combine more than one!

Noodles

In many Asian countries, people eat long noodles on New Year's Day in order to lengthen their life. One catch: You can't break the noodle before it's fully in your mouth.

Greens

Green symbolizes luck - think about four leaf clovers, money, and jade jewelry. Since many New Year’s resolutions include a healthier lifestyle, greens can translate into kale, brussels sprouts, and peas. 

Cinnamon

It is a powerful spice which has been used medicinally around the world for thousands of years. This is also a magical spice that is used for success, healing, action, energy, protection, prosperity, love, and purification.  A great item to move your life into a new place for the new year.

Pork

Pork, once reserved for the elite, symbolizes wealth and prosperity. Aim high this year by filling up with a hearty pork dinner on January 1st.

Cabbage

In Germany, Ireland, and parts of the United States, cabbage is associated with luck and fortune since its green hue resembles money. This includes sauerkraut, so a meal of pork chops and sauerkraut is the perfect New Year’s meal.

Fish

In some countries, people associate fish with moving forward into the new year since fish swim in one direction. Other people, however, think fish symbolize abundance since they swim in schools. 

Lentils

Thought to resemble coins, lentils are eaten throughout Italy on New Year's Day to bring good fortune in the year ahead.

Pomegranate

Long associated with abundance and fertility, pomegranates are eaten in Turkey and other Mediterranean countries as a sign of good luck. It doesn't hurt that this jewel-toned fruit is in its prime come January.

Black-Eyed Peas
Considered a common good-luck food in the South, black-eyed peas are thought to bring prosperity, especially when served with collard greens. Which brings us back to the beginning with green foods.  Another perfect combination.

May your New Year by Prosperous, Bountiful and Filled with Joy!

Seasonal Dill Seed Recipes

Some herbs are so plentiful in the fall you want to try to use them.  Dill is one of those herbs.  You can see it all over as the beautiful umbels begin to set seed.  You can use that seed to make dill pickles, but it is also good in these flavorful recipes:

Lime Dill Dressing

2 Tbls. Lime juice

1 Tbls. Vinegar

½ tsp. sugar

½ tsp. dry mustard

2 tsp. coarsely ground dill seed

1 Tbls. Mayonnaise

½ cup olive oil

salt & pepper to taste

Bland together all ingredients except olive oil, salt & pepper; add oil in a steady stream, blending until thoroughly combined.  Add salt and pepper to taste. Makes ½ cup.

Dilled Brittle Bread Crisps

A light crunchy herb cracker you can serve with wine or juice.

2 ¾ cups flour (plus more to roll dough in)

2 Tbls. Sugar

¾ tsp. salt

½ tsp. baking soda

2 Tbls. Coarsely ground dill seeds

1 stick butter

1 cup fresh plain yogurt

1 egg, beaten with a 1 tsp. water

whole dill seeds

course salt, optional

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  In a food processor or with pastry blender combine flour, sugar, salt, baking soda and dill seeds.  Add butter and process until mixture is like a course meal.  Add yogurt and mix until just combined.  Make into small balls the size of almonds.  Refrigerate until chilled.  On a lightly floured board roll each ball out as thin as possible.  Place on an ungreased baking sheet.  Brush with egg wash, sprinkle generously with whole dill seeds and course salt.

Bake 5 minutes or until golden brown in upper part of the oven.  Remove from pan to cool.  Store in tin box or sealed container. Makes 4 to 5 dozen.

Baked Flounder or Haddock

2 lbs. fresh or defrosted flounder or haddock

6 Tbls. butter or margarine

1 Tbls. Dill leaves or seeds

Parmesan cheese

Paprika

Heat butter or margarine in a low oven with dill.  Place fish in greased pan and brush both sides with the warm herb butter using a pastry brush.  Bake the fish in a 400 degree oven for 15 minutes, then sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and some paprika for color and broil for 3 to 5 minutes.  (May be covered with aluminum foil and kept warm in a low oven until everything else is ready.)