Traditional soul food might have been good for the spirit, but it was awfully tough on the body. Luckily, there's a major rethinking going on where this high-fat cuisine is concerned. Across the country, enthusiasts incorporate its elements into new dishes, bringing it into sync with today's healthier habits. Consider our version of hoppin' John, for instance. Instead of combining black-eyed peas with the usual salt pork or bacon, we've tossed them with pasta, prosciutto, and sun-dried tomatoes. We've also updated turnip greens with caramelized onions and added cumin to pan-roasted corn bread. For dessert, nothing else would do but our Sweet Potato-Bourbon Tart.

If eating black-eyed peas on New Year's Day is supposed to bring you luck, imagine how lucky you'll be when you start off the year with this healthful menu.