Hoppin' John is a traditional African American dish made with black-eyed peas, rice, and often other ingredients like bacon, onions, and spices. It is a soul food classic and is often served on New Year's Day for good luck and prosperity. The name "Hoppin' John" is thought to have originated from the French phrase "pois pigeon," which means "pigeon peas." Hoppin' John is a versatile dish that can be served as a main course or a side dish. It is also a great way to use up leftover rice and beans.
This article provides two delicious recipes for Hoppin' John: a traditional recipe and a vegetarian recipe. The traditional recipe uses bacon and ham hocks for flavor, while the vegetarian recipe uses vegetable broth and smoked paprika. Both recipes are easy to follow and can be made in about an hour. So whether you're looking for a traditional Southern dish or a meatless option, you're sure to find a Hoppin' John recipe in this article that you'll love.
CROOK'S CORNER HOPPIN' JOHN
"Everything I do is as authentic as possible, but with my own refinements," the chef Bill Neal of Crook's Corner in Chapel Hill, N.C., told Craig Claiborne in 1985. "I try to make a personal statement." An example was his hoppin' John. A typical version of the time consisted basically of cooked peas - black-eyed or crowder - served on a bed of rice; the usual seasonings were only salt, pepper and perhaps a little salt pork. Mr. Neal seasoned his peas with garlic, thyme and bay leaf, and added a garnish of cubed tomatoes, chopped scallions and grated cheese.
Provided by Craig Claiborne
Time 1h15m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Put the bacon or salt pork in a saucepan and cook, stirring often, until all the cubes are crisp. Add the carrots, celery and onions and cook, stirring, about 1 minute.
- Add peas, garlic, about 1 1/4 cups water or to barely cover, thyme, bay leaf, salt and pepper flakes. Bring to boil and let simmer, uncovered, 30 to 40 minutes, until tender but not mushy. Remove from heat.
- Put the rice in a saucepan and add 1 1/2 cups water and salt to taste. Bring to boil and let simmer 17 minutes. Stir in the butter.
- Cut unpeeled tomato into 1/4-inch cubes; there should be about 1 cup.
- Arrange the hot rice in the center of a platter. Spoon the hot pea mixture, including liquid, over the rice. Scatter the cheese over the peas. Place tomato cubes around the rice. Scatter the scallions over the tomatoes. Serve immediately.
SLOW COOKER HOPPIN JOHN
Using a slow cooker makes easy work of this classic, long-simmered, delicious southern dish. Serve over cooked white rice.
Provided by carina
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Stews
Time 13h15m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Place black-eyed peas in a large container and cover with several inches of cool water; let stand 8 hours to overnight. Drain and rinse.
- Pour 6 cups water into a pot; add ham hock. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until meat is tender, about 1 hour. Transfer ham hock to a plate to cool and reserve 4 cups of the cooking liquid.
- Layer soaked peas, andouille sausage, onion, celery, and garlic in the bottom of a slow cooker. Remove meat from ham hock and add meat to slow cooker. Sprinkle bay leaves, cumin, salt, and red pepper flakes over the top. Pour reserved cooking water over peas mixture.
- Cook on High until peas are tender, at least 4 hours.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 543.4 calories, Carbohydrate 51.7 g, Cholesterol 55.1 mg, Fat 24.2 g, Fiber 9 g, Protein 30.9 g, SaturatedFat 8.2 g, Sodium 754.7 mg, Sugar 7.1 g
SOUTHERN HOPPIN' JOHN
This is a quick and easy side dish that will become a favorite of your family.-Anne Creech, Kinston, North Carolina
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 40m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels; discard all but 2 tablespoons drippings. Saute pepper, celery and onions in drippings until almost tender. Add rice, water and seasonings. Cover and simmer 10 minutes. Add peas and bacon; simmer 10 minutes longer. Discard bay leaf.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 343 calories, Fat 15g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 25mg cholesterol, Sodium 448mg sodium, Carbohydrate 39g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 11g protein.
Tips:
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients: The fresher the ingredients, the better your Hoppin' John will taste. Look for fresh, plump black-eyed peas, smoky bacon, and flavorful ham hocks.
- Season your dish well: Hoppin' John should be packed with flavor. Don't be afraid to use plenty of salt, pepper, and other spices. Creole seasoning is a great way to add a kick of flavor.
- Cook your Hoppin' John low and slow: This will help the flavors to develop and the black-eyed peas to become tender.
- Serve your Hoppin' John with traditional sides: Collard greens, cornbread, and black-eyed peas are all classic sides for Hoppin' John.
Conclusion:
Hoppin' John is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. It is a traditional Southern dish that is often served on New Year's Day for good luck. With its simple ingredients and bold flavors, Hoppin' John is a surefire crowd-pleaser. So next time you're looking for a hearty and flavorful meal, give Hoppin' John a try. You won't be disappointed!
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