Description:

This good-luck peas and rice dish is the ideal accopaniment with pork or ham, an not just on New Year's Day, but year-round.

Source:

Southern Living-Southern Style Cooking

Serves/Makes:2 or more servings

Ingredients

• 3 bacon slices,chopped
• 1/2 cup (125 ml) chopped celery
• 1/3 cup (80 ml) chopped onion
• 1 cup (225 ml) water
• 1 15 oz (420 grm). can black-eyed peas, undrained
• 1 cup (225 ml) uncooked quick long-grain rice
• 2 Tbsp (30 ml). chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 tsp (2 ml). dried thyme
• celery leaves, for garnish

Preparation

• Cook bacon in a large saucepan until crisp, stirring often.
• Add celery and onion; cook,stir until vegetables are tender.
• Stir in water and peas;bring to boil.
• Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes.
• Stir in rice, parsley, and thyme.
• Remove from heat; cover and let stand 5 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.

Comments

I make this dish all throughout the year. Also, I include cabbage, cornbread sticks and fried hog jowl. Bacon Shortcut-Typically, Hoppin'John includes ham. This flavorful, fast version used bacon. If you're really in a rush, buy precooked bacon and skip the first step. Then just saute chopped celery and onion in 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil.