Getting ready for the New Year - Charleston traditions.

If you don't have a Charleston rice steamer, you'd better get one!! Equal parts water and rice, add a little salt and a dollop of butter if you like. Cover and steam for 20-30 minutes. Makes perfect rice every time! Fluff with a fork and it's time to get those field peas also known as cow peas (and not black-eyed peas) soaking and get

your beloved dogged-earred, recipe-stained Charleston Receipts Cookbook down. The famed Hoppin' John New Year's Day Charleston staple can be found on page 131. And even though you may know it by heart, it's wonderful seeing handwritten cooking notes of generations before us.