Bringing in the New Year with Black-eyed Peas and Greens By Cindy Smith, Contributing Writer Black-eyed peas and greens are a must for southern New Year's Day celebrations. Thought to bring luck, this meal is steeped in tradition. Some theorize the peas represent coins and the greens (traditionally collards) represent green money, or dollars. Preparation for these legumes can be as simple as covering with stock or water, salt and pepper, and boiling for an hour. However, we have added a new twist on this year's peas! Read more...

Holiday Entertaining    Order Form! Champagne Specials Champagne Tasting WCOM Benefit Party Wine Wednesdays Hope for the Holidays Italian Wine Dinner Open New Year's Eve

Weekly Produce Specials

Recipe: Chocolate Lava Cake

---

Bringing in the New Year with Black-eyed Peas and Greens (continued)

Drunken Black-Eyed Peas Serves 6 4 cups Black-Eyed Peas 1\4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1 Medium Sweet Onion - coarsely chopped 2 slices of Streaky Bacon, Bacon, Turkey Bacon (optional) 1 can of Beer or Ale 2 + cups Water or Chicken or Vegetable Stock Salt and pepper Begin by washing the peas. Discard stones and discolored peas. Set aside. Over medium heat, pour olive oil into a deep pot. Add onions and sauté. Once the onions appear translucent, add the peas and stir to coat in oil. Add the beer and 2 additional cups of water or your favorite stock. Make sure the peas are covered in liquid, adding to the amount if necessary. Bring to boil. Boil for a minute, then reduce heat to a low boil and cover. Check periodically and stir gently. Add more liquid if necessary. The total cooking time should be approximately one hour. However, check the peas occasionally being cautious not to overcook as they will become mushy. Season toward the end with salt and coarse ground pepper. For easy Hoppin' John, mix left over peas with corn kernels, white rice, scallions and top with grated parmesan cheese! Also, you can add chopped Jalepenos for a Warming Hoppin' Juan! Untraditional New Year's Greens Serves 6 Collard greens have remained the greens of choice for the traditional meal. They are a cold weather green that is not only easily available this time of year, but at their flavor peak. Now with so many other healthful greens on the market - the choices are abundant. I have chosen to use swiss chard, as it is a personal favorite and quick cooking. Mustard Greens, Kale and many others will do nicely, too. 3 pounds of choice greens 1\4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1-2 Slices of Bacon or Turkey bacon 2 leeks 3-4 cloves of garlic 2 to 4 cups water, chicken or vegetable stock Salt & Pepper to Taste You'll need a large pot or deep sauté pan to begin, though the greens will reduce considerably. Begin by washing the greens thoroughly, removing all the sand. Allow to drain. If there are some tough stems, remove them. (This is really a personal preference.) After the greens are washed, roll them in a bundle and slice across, so you have shreds of greens or "chiffonade". Set the greens aside. Wash the leeks and cut them in half lengthwise, then chop crosswise into half circles. Peel the garlic cloves and cut in half. Place the Extra Virgin Olive Oil in the pan and heat to medium. If you choose to use bacon, add it now. Add the leeks and garlic cloves and sauté until soft, but not crisp. Add the chopped greens and toss to coat the mixture. Next add a tablespoon of stock while scraping ("deglazing") the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Add more stock or water a cup at a time and cover to allow the greens to steam. Add more liquid when necessary and cook until desired tenderness is achieved. When ready to serve, remove from pan, but retain the liquid in the pan. The juices make a wonderful soup base for later use. For a very untraditional twist, sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan cheese. Happy New Year! May every year be better than the one before!

Weekly Produce Specials
	Organic California Navel Oranges	12/$4.99	Super Low!
	Organic Lady Moon     Cherry Tomatoes	2 pints/$5.00	Delicious!
	Organic Gala Apples	$1.19/lb.	Save $.30/lb.

Recipe: Chocolate Lava Cake

This cake, served at Panzanella, is sinfully rich, so indulge now before you swear off sweets for the New Year. This recipe makes 12 servings, just enough for that New Year's Eve party! Ingredients 15 oz bittersweet chocolate 1 lb butter 3/4 cup cocoa powder 1 lb box of confectioners sugar 1 1/2 cups flour 9 whole eggs 9 yolks Spray coat 12 ramekins (small serving dishes that are safe to cook in the oven). Melt together the bittersweet chocolate and the butter. Add the coco powder, sugar and flour, then add the whole eggs and egg yolks. Mix until just combined. Fill ramekins and cook for 7 minutes at 350 degrees. Turn the ramekins and cook for another 5-7 minutes. The cake should still be wet looking when it comes out of the oven. Flip the cakes out of the ramekin onto a plate and serve warm with ice cream on the side.

---

Holiday Entertaining Order Form - Order now for your New Year's gatherings!

Reduce your stress by letting us help with all of your holiday entertaining needs! We are offering some wonderful items available by special order (click here for the form) and you can also order from our Catering Menu by clicking here.Look for the forms in both store locations.

Champagne Specials

Castellblanch Cava Extra Brut Sale $7.99 Reg $8.99 This is a nice, fresh bubbly from Spain. Small bubbles, fresh apple flavors and a round easy finish. Castellblanch Rosado Cava $9.99 This is a cool sparkling rosé from Spain. Flavors of fresh strawberries, a splash of cranberry and a fresh smooth finish. (Available in Carrboro store only) Selva Ducale Prosecco Sale $9.99 Reg $10.99 This Prosecco is made frizzante style, which means it's got a softer, lighter bubble than most. Perfect with lighter fare or for those of you who don't like fully sparkling wines, but still want to be festive. Mionetto IL Sparkling Rosé and Prosecco Sale $11.99 Reg $16.99 This sparkling duo is a fantastic addition to any celebration. Fresh and lively with soft bubbles, lots of fruit and a vibrant finish. Perfect as apéritifs or match with delicate dishes like white fish or melon and prosciutto. Domaine Saint Just Cremant-de-Loire Brut Rosé $14.99 This cremant-style sparkling form France offers a soft foamy mousse with lots of soft, creamy bubbles. It's very aromatic with flavors of strawberries and fresh flowers. Argyle Brut Sale $21.99 Reg $24.99 This is a tasty sparkling wine from Oregon. Well made, dry and crisp with lots of apples and toast. Drappier Carte d'Or Champagne Sale $39.99 Reg $41.99 This is wonderful Champagne. This cuvee is made up of mostly Pinot Noir and is incredibly aromatic and elegant. You'll have a hard time finding better Champagne at this price! ORGANIC OFFERINGS Villa Teresa Prosecco Sale $10.99 Reg $12.99 This is one of our favorite sparkling wines. This Italian bubbly is fresh and lively with soft bubbles and a refreshing finish. Guy Chaumont Cremant de Bourgogne Rosé $16.99 This sparkling rosé hails from France's Burgundy region. It is very delicate with soft creamy bubbles. The fruit is wonderfully subtle and aromatic. (Available in Carrboro store only) Hirschhof Riesling Sekt Extra Dry Sale $18.99 Reg $19.99 This sparkling Riesling from Germany is delicious AND organic. It's very bright and vibrant with only the slightest hint of sweetness. Having seafood? This is the perfect match. (Available in Carrboro store only)

Champagne and Cheese Tastings, New Year's Eve

Stop by either store to get your New Year's Eve celebration rolling (Southern Village from 5 to 7 pm and Carrboro from 4:30 to 6:30 pm). We will have a variety of delicious bubblies available - various styles and prices will be available. And you will be able to sample delicious Gorgonzola Dolce and Goat Gouda.

Read more about champagne.

---

WCOM Benefit Party

Listen Up! Community-powered radio station, WCOM 103.5 FM is throwing a swell party on Monday, January 31 at Panzanella. Listen Up! and rub elbows with local literary stars from 6 to 9 PM. Robert Griffin and Friends will make music and of course, we'll have great food and libations. Tickets will be available by January 3 at Weaver Street Market in Carrboro and Southern Village. Listen Up! will be broadcast live on 103.5 FM but you must be present to win door prizes and bid on a pair of Carolina basketball tickets. Call 967-3795 for more information.

Visit WCOM's website to learn more about the station.

---

Wine Wednesdays

Due to popular demand, the Wine Wednesday Special has been extended through the month of January. Each Wednesday, Panzanella will feature 5 different specially selected bottles of wine for only $10 per bottle (tax not included)! Don’t miss this chance to enjoy a great bottle of wine at a great value. Featured wines will not be available by the glass. Regular wine list will be available.

Visit Panzanella's website to view all menus (lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch).

Hope for the Holidays at Panzanella, too!

Celebrate the season with delicious bubbly and help local organizations in need! With every purchase of a bottle of Selva Ducale Prosecco, specially priced at $20.00/bottle, $1.00 will be donated to the Hope for the Holidays Fund. This Prosecco is a delicious sparkling white wine from Italy. Its soft, round bubbles and its lightweight, crisp, lively finish make a great wine for an evening out at Panzanella. And don't forget to pick up a few bottles in the Wine Department (at both stores). On sale in the store, too, with $1.00 going to the Hope for the Holidays Fund, this wine is perfect for making Bellinis or Mimosas for that holiday brunch!

Visit Panzanella's website to view all menus (lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch).

Wine Tasting Dinner: Wines from Italy

Join us Monday, January 17, from 7 pm to 9 pm, for a tasting of wines from Italy. We'll explore wines from regions such as Campania, Puglia, Veneto, and Tuscany. Now's your chance to explore Italian wines. We welcome Jim Stock and Mike Tiano of Haw River Wine man, a local wine distributor and importer, to take us on a wine-tasting tour of this amazing country. Plenty of delicious food will be served from the Panzanella kitchen to complement these wonderful wines. Make your reservations early! Our wine-tasting dinners always sell out! $35/person. Please pay in advance at either Panzanella or the Customer Service Desk in Carrboro.

Open New Year's Eve!

Featuring a selection of festive New Year's specials . . . Regular menu available. No reservations needed except for parties of 6 or more. Open from 5:30 - 10:00 pm.

Visit Panzanella's website to view all menus (lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch).