Hoppin' John I

Hoppin' John I Recipe - Classic American Black-eyed Peas Dish

Region / culture: USA | Preparation time: 10 minutes | Cooking time: 15 minutes | Servings: 4

Introduction

Hoppin' John is a traditional Southern dish that is believed to bring good luck when eaten on New Year's Day. This flavorful dish is made with black-eyed peas, rice, and a variety of seasonings.

History

Hoppin' John has its roots in African American cuisine and is thought to have originated in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina. The dish has been enjoyed for generations as a symbol of prosperity and good fortune.

Ingredients

2 tsp vegetable oil
0.5 cup diced red bell pepper
0.5 cup diced onion
0.75 lb (340 g) canned black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
3 oz (85 g) cooked and crumbled Canadian-style bacon
0.25 tsp salt
0.13 tsp pepper
3 drops hot sauce
4 oz (113 g) quick cooking rice

How to prepare

In a 2 qt (1.89 liter) nonstick saucepan, heat the oil. Add the bell pepper and onion, and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, for 3 to 4 minutes.
Add 1 cup of water, the peas, bacon, salt, pepper, and hot sauce. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
Add the rice and stir to combine. Cover the saucepan and remove from heat.
Let the mixture stand until the liquid is absorbed, which takes about 5 minutes.
Fluff the rice with a fork before serving.

Variations

For a vegetarian version of Hoppin' John, omit the Canadian-style bacon and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can also add in additional vegetables such as diced tomatoes, bell peppers, or okra.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

To add extra flavor to your Hoppin' John, consider using homemade chicken or vegetable broth instead of water. You can also customize the dish by adding in additional vegetables such as diced tomatoes or collard greens.

Serving Suggestions

Hoppin' John can be served as a main dish or as a side dish alongside fried chicken or grilled fish. It pairs well with cornbread or biscuits.

Cooking Techniques

The key to making a delicious Hoppin' John is to cook the rice until it is tender and fluffy. Be sure to fluff the rice with a fork before serving to ensure that it is light and airy.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don't have Canadian-style bacon on hand, you can use regular bacon or ham as a substitute. You can also use dried black-eyed peas instead of canned, but be sure to soak them overnight before cooking.

Make Ahead Tips

Hoppin' John can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply reheat the dish in the microwave or on the stovetop before serving.

Presentation Ideas

To add a pop of color to your Hoppin' John, garnish the dish with chopped fresh parsley or green onions. You can also serve the dish in individual bowls topped with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt.

Pairing Recommendations

Hoppin' John pairs well with a variety of Southern dishes such as collard greens, cornbread, and fried okra. For a complete meal, serve the dish with a side of sweet tea or lemonade.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Leftover Hoppin' John can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave the dish until heated through, or warm it on the stovetop over low heat.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Hoppin' John contains approximately 250 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of Hoppin' John contains approximately 35 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of Hoppin' John contains approximately 5 grams of fat.

Proteins

Each serving of Hoppin' John contains approximately 10 grams of protein.

Vitamins and minerals

Hoppin' John is a good source of vitamin C, iron, and fiber.

Alergens

Hoppin' John may contain allergens such as soy (from the hot sauce) and gluten (if using a broth that contains wheat).

Summary

Hoppin' John is a nutritious and satisfying dish that is rich in carbohydrates, protein, and essential vitamins and minerals.

Summary

Hoppin' John is a classic Southern dish that is easy to make and full of flavor. Whether you enjoy it on New Year's Day for good luck or any time of year, this dish is sure to become a family favorite.

How did I get this recipe?

I remember the sense of wonder I felt when I first saw this recipe for Hoppin' John. It was many years ago, back when I was just a young girl learning the art of cooking from my own grandmother. She was a skilled cook, always able to whip up delicious meals with just a few simple ingredients.

One day, as I was helping her in the kitchen, she pulled out an old, worn recipe card from a wooden box. The card was yellowed with age and covered in splatters of food, a testament to the many times it had been used. As she read the recipe aloud to me, I couldn't help but be intrigued by the unique combination of ingredients – black-eyed peas, rice, and bacon.

My grandmother explained that Hoppin' John was a traditional Southern dish, often eaten on New Year's Day for good luck and prosperity. The black-eyed peas symbolized coins, the rice represented wealth, and the bacon added a savory flavor to the dish. She told me that the recipe had been passed down through generations of our family, each cook adding their own twist to it.

As she began to cook the Hoppin' John, I watched intently, eager to learn the secrets of this beloved dish. She started by frying the bacon in a cast iron skillet, the sizzle and aroma filling the kitchen with a mouthwatering scent. Next, she added the black-eyed peas, letting them simmer and soak up the flavors of the bacon.

As the dish cooked, my grandmother shared stories of how she had learned to make Hoppin' John from her own mother, who had learned it from her mother before her. She told me about the importance of tradition in cooking, and how each generation added their own touch to a recipe, making it uniquely their own.

Finally, she added the rice to the skillet, letting it cook until tender and fluffy. As she stirred the ingredients together, the dish took on a rich, savory aroma that made my mouth water in anticipation. When she deemed it ready, she scooped the Hoppin' John into bowls and garnished it with a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

I eagerly took a bite of the dish, savoring the flavors of the smoky bacon, tender peas, and fluffy rice. It was unlike anything I had ever tasted before – a comforting and hearty meal that warmed me from the inside out. From that moment on, Hoppin' John became a staple in our household, a dish that we enjoyed not just on New Year's Day, but throughout the year.

As I grew older and began cooking for my own family, I continued to make Hoppin' John, adding my own twist to the recipe just as my grandmother had done before me. I experimented with different seasonings and ingredients, making the dish my own while still honoring the tradition that had been passed down through the generations.

Now, as I look back on that day in my grandmother's kitchen, I realize how much that simple recipe for Hoppin' John has come to mean to me. It's more than just a dish – it's a connection to my family's past, a reminder of the love and care that went into each meal that was prepared in that kitchen.

And so, as I prepare Hoppin' John for my own grandchildren, I do so with a sense of pride and gratitude for the traditions that have been passed down to me. I hope that one day, they too will feel the same sense of wonder and awe that I did when I first saw that beloved recipe card in my grandmother's hands.