Aunt Lynda's Hoppin' John 🥗✨

This classic Southern dish is a hearty blend of flavors and history that's perfect for celebrating the New Year or any gathering with loved ones. It’s simple to prepare and packs a delightful mix of textures and tastes. Traditionally enjoyed in Charleston, this dish symbolizes prosperity and good luck for the coming year! 🍀

Ingredients

For the Hoppin' John

1 cup raw cowpeas (or black-eyed peas)
4 cups water
2 tsp salt
1 cup raw rice
4 slices of cooked bacon (or your preferred meat substitute)
1 medium onion, chopped

Instructions

Start by boiling the cowpeas in salted water until they are tender and cooked through. This will usually take about 30-45 minutes.

💦 Pro tip: Soaking the cowpeas overnight can speed up cooking time and enhance the texture!

Once tender, reserve 1 cup of the cooking liquid and add both the peas and the liquid to the raw rice in a large pot.
In a skillet, fry the bacon until crispy. Remove it, leaving the grease in the pan.

🔥 Feel free to substitute with turkey bacon or smoked sausage for a healthier option.

Mix the crispy bacon (chopped) and onion into the rice and pea mixture, allowing those flavors to meld together beautifully.
Transfer everything into a rice steamer or double boiler, and let it cook until the rice is done and fluffy, usually around 20-25 minutes.

⏳ Keep an eye on it to ensure the rice doesn't overcook—fluffiness is key!

Serving Suggestions

Serve warm as a side dish or enjoy it as a main course topped with a sprinkle of green onions or a dash of hot sauce for a bit of heat! 🌶️
Pair with cornbread and collard greens for a complete Southern feast! 🍞🌿

Variations

Vegetarian/Vegan: Replace bacon with smoked paprika and use vegetable broth instead of water for an equally flavorful dish.
Spicy: Add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper for an extra kick!
Herb-infused: Incorporate fresh herbs like thyme or parsley into the mixture for added flavor.

This dish is not just a meal; it's a wonderful way to bring friends and family together, reminding us that every problem has a solution. Enjoy! 🎉

All Revisions

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Here's the text from the image: --- A problem is only a problem if it can be solved! Aunt Lynda's "Hopping John" Serves 8 1 cup raw cow peas 4 cups water 2 tsp salt 1 cup raw rice 4 slices fried bacon 1 medium onion, chopped 1. Boil peas in salt water until tender. 2. Add tender peas and 1 cup of the pea liquid to the rice. 3. Fry the bacon, and along with the grease, mix into the rice along with the onion. 4. Put mixture into a rice steamer or double boiler until rice is thoroughly done. This is a traditional dish enjoyed in Charleston at New Year's Day by people from all walks of life! All Hyman's seasonings in this cookbook are available. --- Let me know if you need anything else!

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# Aunt Lynda's Hoppin' John 🥗✨ This classic Southern dish is a hearty blend of flavors and history that's perfect for celebrating the New Year or any gathering with loved ones. It’s simple to prepare and packs a delightful mix of textures and tastes. Traditionally enjoyed in Charleston, this dish symbolizes prosperity and good luck for the coming year! 🍀 ## Ingredients ### For the Hoppin' John - 1 cup raw cowpeas (or black-eyed peas) - 4 cups water - 2 tsp salt - 1 cup raw rice - 4 slices of cooked bacon (or your preferred meat substitute) - 1 medium onion, chopped ## Instructions 1. Start by boiling the cowpeas in salted water until they are tender and cooked through. This will usually take about 30-45 minutes. > 💦 Pro tip: Soaking the cowpeas overnight can speed up cooking time and enhance the texture! 2. Once tender, reserve 1 cup of the cooking liquid and add both the peas and the liquid to the raw rice in a large pot. 3. In a skillet, fry the bacon until crispy. Remove it, leaving the grease in the pan. > 🔥 Feel free to substitute with turkey bacon or smoked sausage for a healthier option. 4. Mix the crispy bacon (chopped) and onion into the rice and pea mixture, allowing those flavors to meld together beautifully. 5. Transfer everything into a rice steamer or double boiler, and let it cook until the rice is done and fluffy, usually around 20-25 minutes. > ⏳ Keep an eye on it to ensure the rice doesn't overcook—fluffiness is key! ## Serving Suggestions - Serve warm as a side dish or enjoy it as a main course topped with a sprinkle of green onions or a dash of hot sauce for a bit of heat! 🌶️ - Pair with cornbread and collard greens for a complete Southern feast! 🍞🌿 ## Variations - **Vegetarian/Vegan**: Replace bacon with smoked paprika and use vegetable broth instead of water for an equally flavorful dish. - **Spicy**: Add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper for an extra kick! - **Herb-infused**: Incorporate fresh herbs like thyme or parsley into the mixture for added flavor. This dish is not just a meal; it's a wonderful way to bring friends and family together, reminding us that every problem has a solution. Enjoy! 🎉

name

Lynda's 'Hopping John'

Gallagher Kitchen