NEW YEAR'S DAY CASSEROLE WITH CORNBREAD TOPPING

Steps:

• 1. First, please note that under the section where I had to pick a cooking method, I chose "bake" because that's the final step, however this recipe involves mulitple steps and stove top cooking as well. Now, on to the recipe . . . Saute ham in hot oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Add flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Gradually add chicken broth and cook, stirring constantly, 3 minutes or until broth begins to thicken.
• 2. Bring mixture to a boil and add chopped onion, green peppers, and collard greens; return to boil and cook, stirring often, 15 minutes. Stir in black-eyed peas and crushed red pepper. Spoon hot mixture into a lightly greased 13 x 9 baking dish. Note: I'd use a bigger one because I've NEVER gotten this recipe to fit in a 13 x 9 dish. I always end up using a very large, oval-shaped baking pan that belonged to my grandmother (which probably explains why it always tastes so good).
• 3. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F, and combine the corn meal mix, all-purpose flour, and sugar in medium bowl. Make a well in the center of the mixture. Add eggs and buttermilk. Stir just unitl moistened. Pour batter evenly over greens and blac-eyed peas mixture. Bake at 425 for 25 minutes or until cornbread is golden brown and set. It is so delicious that I have to warn to let it cool off at least a little bit before you try a bite. I have burned my tongue on this one more than once. :) Enjoy!