Hopping John

This year for New Years Day supper, my oldest daughter berated my mom into frying chicken for dinner, so I volunteered to bring the black eyed peas.  It’s a southern tradition to have black eyed peas for lunch or dinner on New Years Day to bring prosperity in the New Year.  Rather than being lazy and just opening a couple of cans, I decided to try something new.  Hoppin’ John just fit the bill.

Hopping John

3 slices bacon, chopped

1 onion chopped

1 red bell pepper chopped

2 cans black eyed peas, slightly drained

Louisiana hot sauce to taste

salt and pepper to taste

1 cup chopped cooked ham

3 cups cooked rice (I used the ready made Uncle Bens that doesn’t require cooking)

In a large saucepan fry the bacon until almost done.  Add the onion and bell pepper to the bacon drippings and cook until translucent.  Add the black eyed peas, Louisiana hot sauce, salt, pepper and ham and let simmer for about 10 minutes.  Stir in the rice and taste for seasoning.  Add more salt, pepper or hot sauce if needed.  Serve.

I was amazed at how good this turned out.  I was afraid that the peas would be too mushy to stand up to the rice, but everything was just right.  My grandmother only got a small spoonful thinking she wouldn’t like it, but she came back for 2nds!  My mom and I nearly made ourselves sick eating this stuff, so we should have a VERY prosperous New Year!  I guess we’ll just have to wait and see…

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