Full of beans

How weird is this? Last night I put some black eyed peas on to soak, thinking we could do with some healthy soup today. This morning I looked up recipes, never having cooked them before. As well as discovering they don't need soaking (doh!) I also found out that they are a traditional New Year's Day food in many parts of the world, and eating them today brings good luck for the rest of the year.

The soup is bubbling away now and is due to be eaten when we come back from a dog walk with friends. A bowlful later I will expect to be full of beans for the whole of 2012.