HOPPIN JOHN (HAPPY NEW YEAR)

Ring in the New Year with a traditional tasty meal of "Hoppin John".  This recipe will make you come back for seconds.  So ring in the New Year with this southern tradition.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound dried black-eyed peas
• 2 small smoked ham hocks or meaty ham bone
• 2 medium onions, divided
• 3 large cloves garlic, halved
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 1 can (10 to 14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes (reserve juice)
• 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2yellow bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
• 3 ribs celery, chopped
• 1 jalapeno or serrano pepper, minced (Optional)
• 2 teaspoons Cajun or Creole seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 3/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
• 4 green onions, sliced

Preparation:

In a large kettle, add 6 cups of water, bring water to a boil add ham bone or ham hocks reduce heat simmer for an hour. Add black-eyed peas, half an onion (pull a part to not cut-up), garlic halves and bay leave continue simmering until the beans are tender (not mushy) for 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Remove the ham bone or hocks, cut off the meat; dice and set aside. Drain the black-eyed peas and set aside. Remove and discard the bay leaf, onion pieces, and garlic.

Prepare rice according to package.  

Add remain chopped ingredients (onion, yellow, red and green bell peppers, celery, jalapeno pepper or serrano pepper), and diced tomatoes (with juice) to drained black eyed peas then add the rice, Creole seasoning, thyme, cumin, white pepper and kosher salt.  Let simmer for about 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the reserved diced ham. Serve with hot sauce, top with sliced green onion and freshly baked cornbread.

Enjoy!!!


Click here for more Smokin Joe's Recipes