Black-Eyed Pea Cucumber Salad

Happy New Year!!! Can you believe that 2015 is already here??? I hardly can believe it at all! I am excited for the prospect of what is to come in all areas of life: family, faith, and my coaching team! God is so good!


There are some superstitious things that we tend do do on New Year's day in the South and one of them is to eat Black-Eyed Peas! Do you know why we eat them on this day???

"There are a variety of explanations for the symbolism of black-eyed peas. One is that eating these simple legumes demonstrates humility and a lack of vanity. The humble nature of the black-eyed pea is echoed by the old expression, “Eat poor on New Year's, and eat fat the rest of the year.” Another explanation is that dried beans loosely resemble coins. Yet another is that because dried beans greatly expand in volume, they symbolize expanding wealth." (read more here: http://americanfood.about.com/od/resourcesadditionalinfo/a/New-Years-Day-Tradition-Black-Eyed-Peas.htm)

 

Whatever the reason may be for you, the good thing is, black-eyed peas are good for you! Well, as long as you don't cook them in an unhealthy way! 

That brings me to today's recipe - a healthy black-eyed pea salad!!!

 

A few weeks ago was our little girl’s preschool teacher’s appreciation lunch and I wanted to take a yummy, healthy side. I ended up finding a recipe for a Black-Eyed Pea Cucumber Salad and just tweaked it a little. It was a hit! We loved it at our house as well!

Then I thought, this will be PERFECT for New Year's Day!!! And so, this is what we are eating for lunch today!!

Black-Eyed Pea Cucumber Salad

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 teaspoons fresh oregano, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)- I used dried)

Ground black pepper, to taste

4 cups English cucumber, diced

1 can black-eyed peas, rinsed

2/3 cup red bell peppers, diced

1/2 cup cheese, feta, crumbled

1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced

3 tablespoons kalamata olives, chopped

Whisk oil, lemon juice, oregano and pepper in a large bowl until combined. Add cucumber, black-eyed peas, bell pepper, feta, onion and olives; toss to coat. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

*Can be eaten as a side OR on top of a bed of dark leafy greens such as spinach or kale or a combo.

PIN IT HERE: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/149533650103713859/

Enjoy and have a great first day of the year!!!

-Ashley