Hoppin’ John

Hoppin’ John, the dish with the curious name.  Black-eyed peas are a staple of Southern cooking in the United States, featured on every table, rich and poor, city and country.  Black-eyed peas are the base ingredient of this dish. Hoppin’ John is traditionally served over steamed white rice on New Year’s Day accompanied by sautéed greens; legend has it that it will bring good luck throughout the year to all who partake of it.  Now you don’t have to live in the American South nor wait until New Year’s for it, make some any time you like. While there are many Hoppin’ John recipes, we think ours brings together black-eyed peas and smoked pork for creamy, wonderful results. Refrigerate leftover Hoppin’ John, it is great reheated the next day, some say it tastes even better!

Hoppin' John

Time: Overnight soaking plus 1 hour 30 minutes of cooking time plus time to debone the ham hock. Yields a large pot of Hoppin’ John.

(more…)