New Year's Day Bean Soup

It's a Southern tradition to serve black-eyed peas on New Year's Day, and this flavorful, mildly spicy soup is one delicious way to do so.

Recipe Ingredients:

2 cups dry black-eyed peas
1 ham hock
1 onion, chopped
1 pound diced cooked ham
1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chiles
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 tablespoons lemon juice

Cooking Directions:

1. Soak dry black-eyed peas in salted water in a large kettle overnight. Drain, cover with water, and add ham hock. Simmer gently for 2 1/2 hours.
2. Stir in chopped onion, diced ham, diced tomatoes and green chiles, chopped red bell pepper, crushed garlic cloves, and lemon juice. Simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes.

Makes 8 servings.