While the holidays may look a bit different this year, there is still so much to celebrate! Whether you're planning a small gathering with family or cooking a meal for just a few, we encourage you to get festive with it. Knowing that your typical holiday celebrations might not be achievable this season, why not make some new ones?For the perfect traditional New Year's menu, whip up some of the most traditional New Year's foodsmany of which are said to attract abundance and prosperity in the coming year. And hey, after everything that's happened this last year, who wouldn't love a little luck tossed their way? Keep scrolling to discover seven menu items to ring in the new year in the tastiest way possible.
Cornbread Paired with Greens and Black Eyed Peas
In southern culture, eating cornbread is both a tasty and traditional way to celebrate the new year. Cornbread is said to symbolize gold, as corn kernels are often associated with coins. This makes cornbread the perfect dish if you're wishing for a bit more wealth this season. However, eating cornbread alone won't do the trick. To truly craft a lucky plate that will give you a boost going into 2021, be sure to pair your cornbread with black-eyed peas and greens.Like cornbread, peas symbolize both coins and wealth, whereas greens resemble folding money. Making dishes that use these three abundant ingredients together will ensure good fortune in your future. Eat this dish, and it's like you're eating up a plate of pennies, dollars and gold!For the perfect cornbread to whip up this New Years', try out our Honey Jalapeno Cornbread Recipe. Made with our Gluten Free Cornbread Mix and fresh corn kernels, it's a wholesome and healthy treat full of luck and good fortune. Pair it with a side of black-eyed peas and green beans or with leftovers you have saved up from your weekly holiday meals.
Pork
We've all heard the saying "when pigs fly," which is often used to describe something that isn't likely to happen. This saying is believed to have derived from a Scottish proverb, "pigs may fly, but it's not likely." Meaning that if pigs do fly or something seemingly impossible is made possible, then you're probably pretty lucky.In many cultures, this pig-centered luck doesn't stop at the saying. In fact, pork is viewed as incredibly lucky food, especially when eaten on new years. When pigs root around in search of food, their snouts move in a forward motion. This constant forward motion symbolizes progress, and who doesn't want to progress forward in the new year? If you're hoping for a successful year ahead, join many cultures worldwide, and add pork to your menu. Remember, pork for progress!Whip up an easy, luck-filled appetizer and make these Traditional-ish Pork Dumplings. Filled with pork and vegetable scraps, theyre an easy bite sized food to set up before the main course. To make things even easier, prepare all of the ingredients the day before so that you only have to cook on New Years Day!
Grapes
Eating grapes on New Years' may be one of our favorite traditions so far! Eating twelve grapes at midnight on New Year's Eve is a tradition in both Spain and Mexico. While the first few seconds of an American New Year's celebration are spent clinking champagne glasses or receiving a midnight kiss, the first twelve seconds of a Latin New Year celebration is quite different. Instead, the first 12 seconds of the Spaniards' New Year is focused on eating twelve grapes, each symbolizing the 12 months ahead. Not only does eating twelve grapes at the start of the new year begin your year on a healthy note, but it also starts it off with an adrenaline rush set to fuel all of your New Years' resolutions. The trick to eating the grapes in a lucky manner? Make sure you eat one grape each time the clock strikes for the hourtrust us, it's not as easy as it sounds!Searching for an easily made dish that doesnt require baking? Make this Easy No-Bake Fruit Tart, loaded with lucky grapes and fresh fruits. It's a refreshingly sweet way to end any meal. Much like a dessert cookie, this tart uses a no-bake crust thats inherently gluten free and loaded with protein.
Pomegranates
The seeds of many fruits and plants have been long associated with fertility. However, in Greece, they take this symbol up a notch and believe the entire pomegranate fruit to be a sign of life and abundance. While you may think adding pomegranate to your favorite dessert dish or adorning your champagne with seeds sounds like a great idea, we're confident you'll find the Greek way quite impressive.Instead of eating the pomegranate, it's Greek tradition to hurl the pomegranates at the floor to release a flood of seeds around everyone. While it may be a bit messy, it's a sure-fire way to get the party started.If you're searching for a cleaner and tastier way to add pomegranates to your New Years menu, celebrate with these Pomegranate Rosemary Bread Wreaths. A delicious snack for any time of the day, this baked good is sure to reel in the compliments.
Fish
As the saying goes, there's a lot of fish in the sea, which is excellent news for those of you whipping up a plate of fish this New Year's Day. Because there are countless fish swimming around in the ocean, many cultures see them as a sign of abundance, and fish is incorporated into many traditional New Years' meals around the world.In Asian cultures, it's a common tradition to feast on an entire fish to celebrate the upcoming year. Whereas in Europe, cod, carp and herring are the lucky fish of choice. While you won't find anyone eating the silvery scales of these fish, they do stand for coinage and wealth.Craving comfort food? Start the new year with style and make these Almond Fish Sticks. The perfect grain free option to adorn your appetizer table with, these fish sticks are better than any store bought version you'll find. They're appetizing taste and whole food ingredients make them an excellent treat for adults and kids alike. Serve them with the desired dipping sauces, and enjoy! When making these fish sticks, we usually use cod. However, any white fish will taste great.
Noodles
Who wouldn't want to ring in the new year with a mouthwatering bowl of noodles? In many cultures, noodles are known to symbolize long life, especially those that are extra long themselves. And it's believed to be an even larger sign of luck if you can eat them without them breaking in the center.Ring in the luck of long life and make these Sesame Noodles with Tofu and Almond Sauce. A savoy and colorful dish, it features long sesame noodles and veggies tossed with a zingy sauce made with almond protein powder. Full of flavor and nutrients, it's a nutritious meal that will make your menu shine. For a bit of extra heat, combine this plate with a bit of sriracha, and enjoy!
Cakes
No New Years Day would be complete without a mouthwatering dessert. If you're a cake person, then you're in luckliterally! One of the most common New Years traditions is to bake a ring-shaped cake to enjoy the day of. Ring-shaped cakes and other rounded desserts bring a full circle of luck to anyone who eats it. And, in some traditions, a coin is even baked into the cake. The person who gets the piece with the coin also receives an extra serving of luck. Just make sure you don't accidentally eat it in the process!Take a bite out of luck and make this Pistachio Bundt Cake. A fun ring-shaped dessert, this cake is moist, light and full of flavor. Raw pistachios are used in this recipe to ensure the beautiful tint of color, and extras are blended into a delicious icing. Serve slices with a bit of honey or whipped cream and you have the perfect New Years Day dessert.And there you have it! A complete list of lucky, traditional New Years' foods to dive into this season. Whether you choose to race the clock and eat twelve grapes after the clock strikes midnight or incorporate a large plate of fish into your menu, each food item on this list is sure to start your year off right!Have a traditional New Years menu item that youd like to share? We cant wait to hear about it. Let us know which foods you celebrate with in the comments below. From everyone at Bobs Red Mill, Happy New Years!