WITH YOUR WINE New Year’s black-eyed peas

Eating black-eyed peas for New Year’s is a Southern tradition that is supposed to bring good luck. But you don’t have to settle for canned beans. Put this on the stove to simmer after lunch, check on it periodically, and you’ll have dinner without much effort. Serve this with your favorite $10 wine.

Serves 4, takes about 2.5 hours

1 lb dried black-eyed peas

1 onion, chopped

1 carrot, chopped

1 celery stalk, chopped

1/2 bell pepper, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 jalapeño, chopped

2 bay leaves

Salt and pepper to taste

Optional: Ham hock, pork neck bones or turkey neck bones

1. Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Add water to cover the beans by an inch or so.

2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer, cover, and cook until beans are tender. This could take as little as an hour or as long as three or four hours, depending on the beans. You may also need to add water if the beans look dry.

ask the WINE GUY?

Q. WHAT IS THE AVERAGE PRICE OF A BOTTLE OF WINE?

A. A lot less than you think — about $6, according to Nielsen, which tracks U.S. retail wine sales. Most of the wine sold in the U.S. costs less than $10.

—JEFF SIEGEL

taste@advocatemag.com

At All About Kids Dentistry, Dr. Diane Colter believes that happy kids have healthy smiles. Dr. Colter specializes in comprehensive dental care for infants, children, teens, and children with special needs. “We recognize every child is unique and we strive to make sure his or her dental visit feels like it’s tailored just for them,” she says. Dr. Colter wants children and their parents to feel comfortable about their visit to the dentist and designed a warm, caring, and inviting office to meet this goal. Dr. Colter and her professional staff look forward to providing exceptional care to each and every child who entrust them with their oral health.

TX 75238