Dear Just Be: I need a simple recipe for a New Years Day party.

A simple and hearty recipe is for black-eyed peas. It is believed that eating black-eyed peas on New Years Day will bring good luck all year long.

1 (16oz) package dried black- eyed peas
4 cups water
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 (1 pound) ham steak cut into 1/2 inch cubes or 1 ham hock
4 whole jalapeno peppers or 2 seeded, chopped jalapeno peppers (optional)

Bring first 6 ingredients and, if desired, jalapenos to a boil in a Dutch oven; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 1 hour or until the peas are tender. this can be made in your crock pot. Cook on low for 6 -8 hours or until peas are tender.

Yield: 8 servings