"This traditional Southern dish is served on New Year's Day for good luck throughout the year."

Spray medium saucepan with nonstick cooking spray. Add sausage, if using; cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes, until lightly browned. Add onion and celery; cook, stirring until onion is golden. Add garlic; cook, stirring, 1 minute more.

Add broth, black-eyed peas, bay leaf and 2 cups water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 1 hour, until peas are soft but not mushy.

Add rice, thyme and pepper; cover and simmer 15-20 minutes until rice is just tender. Remove from heat; let stand 10 minutes, covered. Sprinkle with scallions and parsley and serve.

Each serving (1-1/3 cup) with sausage provides: * 1 V, 1-1/2 P, 1 B, 10 C.

Per serving (with sausage): * 281 cal, 17 g pro, 45 car, * 4 g fat: 1 g poly, 1 g mono, 1 g sat; * 302 mg sod, 19 mg chol.

Each serving (1-1/3 cup) without sausage provides: * 1 V, 1/2 P, 1 B, 10 C.

Per serving (without sausage): * 238 cal, 13 g pro, 45 g car, * 2 g fat: 0 g poly, 0 g mono, 0 g sat; * 50 mg sod, 0 mg chol.

(Weight Watchers Magazine in association with The Rice Council and The Walnut Marketing Board)

Reprinted with permission from Usa Rice Council Electronic format courtesy of Karen Mintzias