In a large saucepan, combine the black-eyed peas and water and let them soak overnight.

When ready to cook bring the beans and the liquid to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until the beans are tender, about 50 minutes.

Transfer the beans and liquid to a 3-quart no-stick baking dish.
In saucepan addd the oil and warm over medium heat. < LI>Add the onions, green peppers and mushrooms and saute for about 5 minutes
Add the garlic and collards.

Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, or until the collards are just wilted.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

To the black-eyed peas and liquid, add the collard mixture, tomato sauce, ketchup, molasses, honey, mustard, parsley and hot-pepper sauce. Mix well. Cover and bake for 20 minutes.

Combine sugar and water in a saucepan over low heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Bring to boil and boil ten minutes. Cool.

Add sugar syrup to grapefruit and orange juices. Chill thoroughly.

Add grenadine and ginger ale just before serving.

Makes about 1 1/2 quarts.

Mix the juice and sprite in equal amounts.
Garnish with orange slices, maraschino cherries, or strawberries.

In a large Dutch oven or kettle, combine the black-eyed peas, ham bone or ham hocks, and 6 cups water. Cut 1 of the onions in half and add it to the pot along with the garlic and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer gently until the beans are tender but not mushy, 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Remove the ham bone or hocks, cut off the meat; dice and set aside. Drain the peas and set aside. Remove and discard the onion pieces and garlic.
Add 2 1/2 cups of water to the pot and bring to a boil. Add the rice, cover, and simmer until the rice is almost tender, about 10 to 12 minutes.

Mince the remaining onion then add to the rice along with the peas, tomatoes, and their juices, red and green bell pepper, celery, jalapeno pepper, Creole seasoning, thyme, cumin, and salt. Cook until the rice is tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in the sliced green onions and the reserved diced ham. Serve with hot sauce and freshly baked cornbread.

In a large saucepan, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove the bacon, crumble, and set aside to use as a topping for the peas. Saute the onion in the bacon drippings until tender. Add the peas, Ro-tel tomatoes, salt, chili powder, pepper and water. Cover and cook over medium heat for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the peas are tender. Add additional water, if necessary. Serve garnished with crumbled bacon.

Place corned beef in large stockpot. Sprinkle spices over meat, then add enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer until beef is tender, about 3 hours. Drain.

About 40 minutes before beef is finished, boil a large pot of water and cook potatoes and carrots. Add cabbage about 10 minutes before you’re ready to serve as it doesn’t need to cook long. Drain vegetables. Arrange meat and vegetables on a platter and serve with your favorite mustards.

*You can buy a brisket that comes with a spice packet. If you do, then you do not need to use the mustard seeds, caraway seeds, peppercorns and coriander in the recipe.

Simmer sauerkraut in water for 15 minutes. Drain. Put sauerkraut, corned beef and onion thru medium blade of food processor. Melt margarine in pan and stir in 1/4 cup flour, mustard, and horseradish. Add ground mixture. Stir in 1/2 cup crumbs. Cook little longer. Chill. Form chilled mixture into balls, dip in flour, egg and crumbs. Fry until brown.

- From Nana’s Collection