Hoppin John Luck and Flavor in Every Bite

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Ever wonder what to eat to get lucky ? This hoppin john recipe might just be your ticket! It’s savory, smoky, and packed with flavour. Plus, it's surprisingly easy to make.

Brief Overview

Hoppin John is part of Southern cuisine , traditionally enjoyed on New Year's Day food traditions for good luck. Honestly, it's an easy Southern recipe , perfect for anyone.

It takes about an hour and a half and serves six.

Main Benefits

Did you know black eyed peas recipe is high in fibre? It's fantastic for digestion. Hoppin John is ideal for New Year celebrations or any cosy family dinner.

What makes it special? It's just so darn comforting.

Gather Your Ingredients

Alright, let's dive into what you need! Grab your olive oil, onion, celery, bell pepper, garlic, and smoked ham hock .

Don't forget the thyme, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, black eyed peas , chicken broth, and rice. A little parsley for garnish, too.

Let's Get Cooking!

First, sauté your veggies. Then, add the ham hock. Next up are the peas and broth, simmer until tender. Finally, toss in the rice and let it all meld together.

Season and serve! Seriously easy, right?

Tips and Tricks

Soaking your peas beforehand can speed things up. Using a smoked ham hock really elevates the flavour. Don't overcook the rice, nobody likes mushy rice! And of course, taste and adjust the seasoning.

Hoppin John Variations

Feeling adventurous? Try a vegetarian hoppin john by skipping the ham and using veggie broth. For extra heat, add jalapeños.

You can even swap white rice for brown. I tried it once with quinoa; let's just say I prefer rice, ha! Don't forget you can add hoppin john with collard greens .

Serving Time

Hoppin' John goes brilliantly with collard greens and cornbread. A dash of hot sauce kicks things up a notch. Get ready to welcome the new year with a full belly and good luck!

Closing Thoughts

Whether you follow the authentic hoppin john recipe or get creative, this dish is a winner. It is one of the easiest luck food new year's traditions! Enjoy the process and the delicious result.

Happy cooking, y'all!

Ingredients & Equipment for the Best Hoppin' John

Right, let's talk about what you'll need to make some proper hoppin john . It's easier than you think. Trust me. This easy Southern recipe is about to become your new fave.

Main Players

Okay, so here’s the lowdown on what to grab from the shops. The measurements are pretty important.

• Olive oil: 1 tablespoon (15 ml). This gets everything started nicely.
• Onion: 1 medium, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups, 150g).
• Celery: 2 stalks, chopped (about 1 cup, 100g).
• Green Bell Pepper: 1 , chopped (about 1 cup, 100g).
• Garlic: 2 cloves, minced. Go for fresh if you can!
• Smoked Ham Hock or Bacon: 4 ounces (115g), diced. Honestly, the better the quality, the better the flavour. This makes a huge difference. A smoked ham hock is really the key to unlock authentic flavor in this classic New Year's Day food traditions .
• Dried Thyme: 1 teaspoon .
• Smoked Paprika: 1/2 teaspoon . This gives it that lovely smoky edge.
• Cayenne Pepper: 1/4 teaspoon (optional). Just if you fancy a bit of a kick.
• Dried Black Eyed Peas : 1 pound (450g), rinsed. Make sure they're good quality.
• Chicken Broth or Water: 6 cups (1.4 liters).
• Long Grain White Rice: 1 cup (185g), rinsed. Basmati is a good shout.
• Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: To taste. Don't be shy!
• Fresh Parsley: 2 tablespoons , chopped, for garnish.

Seasoning Notes: The Secret Sauce!

Spices are where the magic happens.

Thyme and smoked paprika are a must. They bring warmth and depth. For a vegetarian hoppin john , a touch of liquid smoke can mimic that smoked ham hock flavor.

Feel free to add a bay leaf while simmering too. It's one of those hoppin john variations that are incredible!.

A little cayenne pepper adds a bit of excitement.

Equipment Needed: Keep It Simple, Stupid!

You don't need loads of fancy gear for luck food new year .

• Large pot or Dutch oven. This is your workhorse.
• Cutting board and knife. Obvious.
• Measuring cups and spoons. Get those portions right. A wooden spoon for stirring it all up. Honestly, a good old pot is all you really need!

I once tried to make hoppin john in a slow cooker. Disaster! The rice turned to mush. Stick to the pot; you'll thank me later.

So there you have it! Grab these bits, and you're golden.

Cooking Method: Mastering Hoppin' John, Your Luck Food New Year !

Let's chat about cooking Hoppin' John , shall we? It's not just a meal; it’s a tradition. People consider it proper New Year's Day food traditions .

The black eyed peas symbolize coins. Every bite is believed to bring good fortune! Honestly, I'm not superstitious. But this easy Southern recipe is so tasty, I make it anyway!

Prep Steps: Mise en Place Magic

Getting organised is key. First, chop your onion (about 1 1/2 cups, 150g), celery (about 1 cup, 100g) and green bell pepper (about 1 cup, 100g).

Then mince your garlic. Rinse 1 pound (450g) of dried black eyed peas . Got it? Now you are winning already! You'll also need 4 ounces (115g) of smoked ham hock , diced and 1 cup (185g) of long grain white rice, rinsed

Essential mise en place . Dice 4 ounces (115g) smoked ham hock . Chop the 1 onion (about 1 1/2 cups, 150g), 2 celery stalks (about 1 cup, 100g), and 1 green bell pepper (about 1 cup, 100g).

Have everything measured and ready. This time saving organization tip means less stress.

step-by-step: From Humble Peas to Hearty Dish

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a big pot. Sauté onion, celery, and pepper for 5- 7 minutes .
2. Add minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of dried thyme , 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika , and cayenne (if you like spice). Cook until fragrant, about a minute.
3. Toss in 4 ounces (115g) of diced smoked ham hock . Brown it for 3- 5 minutes . This is where the magic happens!
4. Add 1 pound (450g) of rinsed black eyed peas . Pour in 6 cups (1.4 liters) of chicken broth or water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 1 hour . You want the peas tender.
5. Stir in 1 cup (185g) of rinsed rice . Cover and simmer for another 20- 25 minutes . The rice should be cooked and the liquid absorbed.
6. Season with salt and pepper. Boom! Garnish with parsley. Serve that bowl of luck !

Pro Tips: Secrets to the Best Hoppin' John

Want to elevate your hoppin john variations ? Try soaking the peas overnight. It cuts down the cooking time. It also makes them easier to digest. I learned that the hard way!

Don't skimp on the smoked ham hock . It provides tons of flavour. Some folks enjoy hoppin john with collard greens , others a dash of hot sauce.

Either way, taste and adjust as you go. This authentic hoppin john recipe is all about personal preference. You could make a vegetarian hoppin john by removing the meat! The key is building flavour and not burning the bottom of the pot.

Honestly? Hoppin’ John is one of those dishes that just gets better with time. You can totally make it a day ahead. Store it in the fridge. Reheat it gently. Enjoy!

Right then, let's talk about some extra bits and bobs for this hoppin john recipe. I always think these little notes can really elevate a dish, you know?

Recipe Notes

Ace Serving Ideas

Plating is key, innit? For your easy Southern recipe , try serving it in rustic bowls. A sprig of parsley on top makes it look proper fancy.

For drinks, a cool glass of sweet iced tea goes down a treat. A bit of lemon or lime is lovely with it too.

Also, hoppin john with collard greens is a killer combo! Trust me on that one. Some folks love cornbread too, dipping it in that tasty sauce.

Smart Storage

Honestly, leftovers are the best bit. If you have any black eyed peas recipe left, pop it in the fridge in an airtight container.

It'll happily keep for about 3-4 days. Freezing is also an option, although the rice can get a bit mushy.

I'd say portion it out before freezing. When reheating, add a splash of water or broth to loosen it up.

Microwaving works fine or you can gently reheat it on the hob.

Hoppin John Variations

Fancy mixing it up? For a vegetarian hoppin john , just ditch the smoked ham hock and use vegetable stock.

Add a dash of smoked paprika to keep that smoky vibe going. You can swap out the white rice for brown rice or quinoa for a healthier twist.

Or, if you're feeling adventurous, throw in some diced sweet potatoes for a bit of sweetness. For those avoiding gluten, make sure your broth is gluten-free and you are laughing.

It's one of the best New Year's Day food traditions .

Nutrition Lowdown

Okay, so roughly, a serving will give you a good hit of protein and fiber. Perfect for a luck food new year .

It will fill you up. Black eyed peas are a fantastic source of plant based protein. This authentic hoppin john recipe is packed with goodness.

So there you have it. A cracking hoppin john recipe, plus a few cheeky tips. Have fun cooking, and fingers crossed for a year of good luck! Don't be scared to add your own special touches.

That's how the best recipes are born, innit? It's a great Southern staple for that Southern cuisine , even Delia Smith would be proud! I hope you enjoyed my hoppin john variations and my chat about hoppin john with collard greens .