Lucky Peas

I have had one daughter graduate college in May of 2021 and one that is a freshman in the fall of 2021.  Each time, I am shocked by the life lessons (cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc. ) my daughters knew compared to their roommates and everyone else there! Stories from my youngest daughter this past semester has inspired me to write something about this and express how important it is to teach your children the basics of life. I am all for them experiencing life on their own and making their own mistakes, but some of these are just a danger to themselves and sometimes to the people they live with. As you read this, try and switch places with your current college student.  Did you know these things when you went to school?  Do you wish you had?  Some of you might be thinking, REALLY, that happened?  Some of you might have lived through some of these and had to learn the hard way! 

• Does your child know how to use a hand-held can opener?  I had to be on FaceTime with my daughter (my daughter was home) and try to teach her friend in the next apartment over how to use the can opener because her friend could not open a can of Spaghetti O’s during finals.

•  Does your child know NOT to put anything metal in the microwave? The fire department has been called to my daughter’s building at least 5 times this past semester because of students putting items in the microwave that aren’t supposed to go in the microwave.

  • On that note, does your child know how use the snack size macaroni and cheese that you cook in the microwave?  Please teach your child that you have to add water.  Yes, the fire department came out for that as well with the girl across the hall.   The snack size Mac n cheese turned into black coal!

• Does your child know NOT to cook butter on very high heat?   It will smoke up the apartment.  Yes, the fire department came to my daughter’s apartment because of her roommate. 

  • In addition, knowing not to put water in hot butter or oil, it will splatter quite quickly and could burn them or start a fire.  Luckily, I have not heard of that happening to anyone yet. 

• Does your child know to turn the heat down when you put pasta in the water? 

  •  Otherwise, the water will boil over and make a mess.

•  Do they know NOT to put grease down the sink unless they are running the garbage disposal while the hot water is on with Dawn dish soap? 

  • It will not clog the sink then.

•  Does your child know how to make a sandwich or make a bowl of cereal? 

•  Does your child know not to put fish rocks down the garbage disposal?

  •  Yes, this was my daughter’s roommate.  Maintenance had to come and scoop out the rocks. Luckily, the garbage disposal did not have to be replaced.

• Do they know how to use the oven and the timer on the stove?

• Do they know how to use the dishwasher?

• Do they know how to use an iron or a steamer for clothes?

• Do they know how to do laundry?

• Do they know how to grocery shop?

  • You will see in some of my posts that I shop at Aldi. If you are a college student and have an Aldi in your town, shop there! You will save a ton of money.  My oldest daughter had a budget of $50 a week for groceries.  She could buy a week’s worth of groceries to make really good meals from salmon, chicken, vegetables and have leftovers for lunch or dinner that week. My youngest is at college now and has $40 a week since she has a meal plan as well.  Again, she makes really good, delicious, and healthy meals with chicken, salmon, ground beef, etc.  In all of my recipes, I shop at Aldi first, then go to the other major grocery store chains if I need something that they don’t have. I can feed my family for under $100 each week by planning and shopping accordingly.  I don’t use coupons.  If you prefer organic foods, they have that as well.

It’s the start of a new series! These recipes are budget friendly, easy, and are pantry staples. These are not just for college students, but for families too! They are life-long basic recipes. In fact, these are still some recipes that my family eats today!  

Lucky Peas

(Makes enough for 2 to 4 meals)

I love this meal because it can be ready in 20 minutes!  We still eat this a few times a month with blueberry muffins or corn muffins. Everyone that has had this at our house has loved it!

For the Rice:

1 cup of long grain rice

2 cups of water

Put 2 cups of water in a medium sized pot.  Bring to a boil.  Add the rice; cover and cook according to package directions.  Remove from heat, and let sit for 5 minutes. 

For the Peas:

1 Tablespoon olive oil

½ onion, chopped

1 cup chopped ham (buy this already cubed in the section where ham is sold.  Not the deli section)

2 cans black eyed peas, rinsed and drained in a colander

1 (32 oz.) box low sodium chicken broth

½ teaspoon each of salt, pepper, and ground sage

Green onion, chopped (optional)

Tomatoes, chopped (optional)

Sour Cream

Hot sauce such as Texas Pete

Meanwhile, while the rice is cooking, heat the oil over medium heat for 2 minutes.  Add the onion and cook about three minutes until soft and translucent (somewhat see through). Add the ham and black-eyed peas.  Cook until heated through.  Add the chicken broth, salt, pepper, and sage.  Heat on medium until the rice is done.  If it comes to a boil, then turn it down to low (simmer). 

To serve: In a bowl, place a large scoop or two of rice. Top with the broth, ham, and black-eyed pea mixture.  Top with green onions, sour cream, tomatoes, and hot sauce.  

If you would like, make a box of the blueberry muffins or corn muffins.  Just follow the package directions.  They are located on the baking aisle in the grocery store.  Just make sure you have the ingredients to make it at your place or buy the ingredients before you leave the store.

Yield: 8-10

Author: Kelly Meer

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Lucky Peas

A delicious comfort food that is affordable and ready in twenty minutes!

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 10 MinTotal time: 20 Min

Ingredients

For the Rice

• 1 cup of long grain rice
• 2 cups of water

For the Peas

• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• ½ onion, chopped
• 1 cup chopped ham (buy this already cubed in the section where ham is sold. Not the deli section)
• 2 cans black eyed peas, rinsed and drained in a colander
• 1 32 oz. box low sodium chicken broth
• ½ teaspoon each of salt, pepper, and ground sage
• Green onion, chopped (optional)
• Tomatoes, chopped (optional)
• Sour Cream
• Hot sauce such as Texas Pete

Instructions

For the Rice

1. Put 2 cups of water in a medium sized pot.
2. Bring to a boil.
3. Add the rice; cover and cook according to package directions.
4. Remove from heat, and let sit for 5 minutes.

For the Peas

1. While the rice is cooking, heat the oil over medium heat for 2 minutes.
2. Add the onion and cook about three minutes until soft and translucent (somewhat see through).
3. Add the ham and black-eyed peas. Cook until heated through.
4. Add the chicken broth, salt, pepper, and sage.
5. Heat on medium until the rice is done. If it comes to a boil, then turn it down to low (simmer).

To Plate:

1. In a bowl, place a large scoop or two of rice.
2. Top with the broth, ham, and black-eyed pea mixture.
3. Top with green onions, sour cream, tomatoes, and hot sauce.