Yeah it's a bit late, but I've just now had the time to park in front of the computer to catch up on things. Figured I'd inquire of what others, especially across the pond do on New Year's Day. We meet up at Mom's house for the traditional Southern US New Year's Day meal. Traditionally we eat black eyed peas, cabbage and pork. This traditional meal goes back to the American Civil War. Here's the story. Some suggest the tradition dates back to the Civil War, when Union troops, especially in areas targeted by General William Tecumseh Sherman, typically stripped the countryside of all stored food, crops, and livestock, and destroyed whatever they could not carry away. At that time, Northerners considered "field peas" and field corn suitable only for animal fodder, and did not steal or destroy these humble foods. In the Southern United States, the peas are typically cooked with a pork product for flavoring (such as bacon, ham bones, fatback, or hog jowl), diced onion, and served with a hot chili sauce or a pepper-flavored vinegar. The traditional meal also includes cabbage, collard, turnip, or mustard greens, and pork. The peas, since they swell when cooked, symbolize prosperity; the greens symbolize money; the pork, because pigs root forward when foraging, represents positive motion. Cornbread also often accompanies this meal. Mom cooked the pork chops down in the skillet, and made a gravy to go with the rice. Rice and gravy is big here in Louisiana. And good too! So, what do y'all do on New Year's Day?
After the New Years Eve celebrations we go for a long walk on New Years Day then more food suggested food Civil War Chicken (English Civil War) 1 1/2 cups mutton or chicken stock 1 cup white wine 1 blade mace (or ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg) salt and pepper to taste 3-4 lb. chicken 2-3 egg yolks 1-2 slices dry bread (finely grated) 3 tbsp. cider vinegar a pinch sugar 2 tbsp. butter 1 cup seedless grapes (peeled) METHOD: Put the stock, wine, and mace into a pot. Season the cavity of the chicken with salt and pepper, or any “sweet herbs” you might fancy. Place your chicken in the stock, then bring to a boil and gently simmer until tender (about 45 minutes). Reserve about 1 cup of broth. When boiled, carve the chicken and put the slices in a shallow dish in the oven to keep warm while you make the sauce. Beat egg yolks in a bowl, then slowly add the cup of broth into the eggs. Place these in a clean pot and whisk in your breadcrumbs. Stir until the sauce has thickened, but do not allow it to boil. Add the vinegar, sugar, butter, and grapes (I left them whole, but you could also slice them into halves or quarters). Simmer until heated through. Pour over chicken and eat heartily. Cavaliers and Roundheads: A Culinary Civil War | Picture Britain
No traditions left nowadays. Back a while I used to first-foot for my Nan, which included driving to her her house (12 miles or so), stealing a lump of coal from her neighbours coal-bunker and presenting this and a silver coin to her at 12.01 am on New Years Day. Of course I did not fit the tall dark haired stranger part of the deal, but you cannot have everything can you!!
Just a case of Hab Gubmuh - thank goodness that's all over for another year and one can stop pretending to be nice and get back to business as usual.
Had the day off work & went looking for a new settee (sofa) . Didn't buy one. Edit: Took Xmas decs down too.
Like Steve (bamboo43), back in the day when I lived up north of Newcastle I would have started the day by first-footing for my mother, which involved turning up just after midnight on 31 December with a lump of coal in hand and having a beer. Then later there would be the annual competitive wheelbarrow race, which involved pushing a wheelbarrow with someone sat in it two miles in a rough road based circle. Then into the pub. No traditional food springs to mind. I live near and work in London now, but this year I was visiting up home. Although the wheelbarrow race still takes place, we decided instead to miss it and travel down to Newcastle to go for a walk along the Quayside. Doesn’t sound great and 50 years ago it wouldn’t have been, rather it was an industrial area back then. Now its posh and pleasant. Walked past the Redheugh, High Level, Swing, Tyne and Millennium bridges, three of which evoke fond memories from way back. Then back to the out-laws for lunch; scallops, prawns, clams, mussels, calamari, hake pieces and a piece of lightly smoked salmon fillet, done in a light garlic/lemon/olive oil, with samphire, wilted spinach, asparagus and green beans, and a nice crisp white wine. Followed by a cheese board and a vintage port. That’s a perfect meal for me and I hope it becomes a new tradition. By the way, a Happy New Year to you all! Best, Steve.
Good to hear I was not the only one Steve. Although Nan lived in London from the late 1930's, she was originally from the Bishop Auckland area, so the North East link lives on.
No shopping for us on New Years Day. Virtually all stores are closed. We, like you, spent a good portion of the day taking down the tree, lights and decorations. The wife always agitates to get them up in late November but by January 1st is equally ruthless in ridding the house of any vestiges of the holiday. Our tradition for many years was starting the day with a few Tylenol to speed the recovery from the night before. Now that I an much less inclined to administer self inflicted wounds I can actually enjoy the day.
North East links and called ‘Steve’... Although I am London based and have been for a considerable time, one of my favourite clients is based in Bishop Auckland and doing great things there too. Have you ever read about the Fighting Bradfords of Bishop Auckland? An amazing family...! The Fighting Bradfords | The North-East At War
I certainly have Steve, Thomas Andrews medals went through for sale at a well known auction house just over two years ago. They sold for £8000!!
Celebrated New Year's Eve with the family at the large fairytale park 'De Efteling' (near Waalwijk, Holland). Nice, but cold, evening, with a big Fireworks show at midnight. ... of course we ate lots of 'Oliebollen' and a drank a bit of Champagne Then went for the traditional ... New Years Dive at Scheveningen ... quite a challenge this year because of the cold!!
Regrettably, I maintained my New Year's Eve / night tradition of rather over-doing things and didn't enjoy the day after at all. It's not that I don't know better. I fear that I'm never really going to learn though.
