Hoppin' John

This note is not about husband John hoppin' around the rose garden or brother John hoppin' around the golf course. It is about the southern tradition of eating black eyed peas on New Year's Day to bring good luck in the new year. We can certainly use some this year, so here is a basic recipe for "Hoppin' John".

4-6 slices thick bacon, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
black pepper and salt to taste
1 cup brown rice (any mixture - I used brown plus red wehani)
2 1/2 cups water (to start)
1 -20 oz. bag frozen black eyed peas

Cook bacon in large pot. As it begins to brown add onion and garlic. Add salt and freshly ground pepper. Cook till onions are soft. Add water and rice, cover and simmer about 35 minutes. Add black eyed peas (add additional water if it gets too dry) and simmer about 25-30 minutes more. Do not use "fresh" (reconstituted dry peas) - frozen peas are fresh frozen and the only way to get fresh peas in winter! Some recipes dress this up in many ways. Simple or fancy - you choose.

Happy New Year!