I like to hedge my bets, so am planning on eating as many “lucky” foods as possible New Years Eve and New Years day.

And wearing red undies. Red lingerie brings giddiness, passion, love and luck. Right?

But, as for food that brings good fortune, here’s a short list, that I’m picking up at the grocery store for these next two days. Just in case. Oh…skip the lobster and chicken. They don’t have good New Year’s vibes. But these foods do.

• Grapes, 12 of them Eat them at midnight for luck in each month of the new year. Raisins work too.
• Turmeric-laced foods:  Gold-colored foods bring financial prosperity.  Monica Bhide, who leads a life of spice, talks turmeric and has an amazing Fish Curry recipe here.
• Pork Recipe below: Pork Sauerkraut with Sour Cream
• Beans, lentils, black-eyed peas Combine them all in a super good-fortune soup
• Cabbage or sauerkraut It’s just lucky. My German heritage means this is the recipe I’m including here.
• Fish I might only have time for a tuna sandwich today
• Long noodles They’re Japanese symbols of long life, so Soba or buckwheat noodles work…or what about ramen noodles? I’m sure spaghetti works too. Noodle up!
• Sweet bread or cakebaked in a ring shape You know—coming full circle. Add a little trinket to bring extra luck to the person who gets that trinket in her slice.
• Share, share, share! Food and friends guarantee happiness in the new year…and always. xo

Pork Sauerkraut with Sour Cream
Makes 8 servings

Despite my German heritage (sauerkraut is served at EVERY family holiday), I’m not a big fan of sauerkraut. Except for this version. The sour cream mellows the kraut. I sometimes cut down on the pork and add some Polish sausage.

2 pounds pork (I like pork butt), cut into 1-inch chunks
Salt and pepper to taste
3-4 tablespoons canola oil
3 large onions, chopped
1 tablespoon sweet paprika
2 pound jar sauerkraut (drained and squeezed dry)
1/2 cup water (or low-sodium chicken broth)
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup sour cream

 1. Sprinkle pork with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add pork; cook and stir until brown. Remove pork from pan and set aside. Add onions and cook until soft. Drain excess fat. Stir in paprika; cook for 1 minute.

2. Stir in browned pork, sauerkraut and water. Cover and cook gently for 60 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, whisk together the sour cream and flour. Stir into sauerkraut mixture. Simmer gently until heated through.

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