Southern Hoppin’ John (Fortune in a Bottle – Only 4 Ingredients) I don’t skip this on New Year. I can’t imagine a new year without thinking of it. In the south, black eyed peas and rice are a wish of good fortune and promising times ahead. With hardly any effort this easy 4-ingredient slow cooker version brings the same comfort with very little effort. It is simple fare consisting of the basic stuff, such as peas, rice, smoky pork, and broth, yet it warms up the kitchen. You can make it on New Year’s Day, or a quiet weeknight, but it is the type of warm and comforting meal that you can always call home.
I would prefer to have this slow cooker Hoppin’ John that is served in broad bowls with warm cornbread as a side. A serving of slow-cooked greens, a dash of vinegar or even sweet potatoes can be served to complete the meal. It can be made according to one’s preference; a spoonful of pickled peppers or chowchow on top.
Simple 4 Ingredient
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- Black eyed peas dried and rinsed.
- Quantity: 1 cup
- Notes: Combine the rinsed black-eyed peas, smoked pork and chicken broth in a medium pot.
- Chicken stock (or stock to cover peas in a depth of about 1 inch)
- Quantity: 4 cups
- Notes: The broth must submerge the peas by some 1 inch; a little water may be added.
- Smoked pork (ham hock, smoked sausage or bacon), chopped in bits.
- Quantity: 4 oz
- Notes: Big bones in the smoked pork should be picked out with a fork, should you have used a ham hock.
- Long-grain white uncooked rice.
- Quantity: 1 cup
- Notes: Add the uncooked rice and make sure it is evenly spread.
- Salt and black pepper, to taste (not included in the 4 ingredients) (optional)
- Quantity: to taste
- Notes: Add a small amount of salt and black pepper, bearing in mind the smoked pork and broth might have a fair amount of salt in it already.
Directions
Step 1
Combine the rinsed black-eyed peas, smoked pork and chicken broth in a medium pot. The broth must submerge the peas by some 1 inch; a little water may be added.
Step 2
Booil the pot in medium-high heat and turn the heat down to low with a cover and simmer until the peas are tender, but not shredding, approximately 45-60 minutes. Look every now and then and then sprinkle a little water in case the fluid reduces.
Step 3
Once the peas are tender, taste the cooking liquid and add a small amount of salt and black pepper, bearing in mind the smoked pork and broth might have a fair amount of salt in it already.
Step 4
Add the uncooked rice and make sure it is evenly spread. Should the liquid no longer envelop the peas and rice, by some 1/2 in., add a little broth or water.
Step 5
Return the mixture to a low simmer, cover and cook at low level in about 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and absorbed the majority of the liquid. Avoid opening the lid many times so that the rice can be steamed well.
Step 6
After the pot of rice has been cooked, take it off the heat and allow it to cool with a cover on it within 5-10 minutes. Pick out big bones in the smoked pork, with a fork, should you have used a ham hock.
Step 7
Add more salt and pepper if needed, to match your taste. Finish off in bowls, and be sure each bowl contains a nice combination of peas, rice and smoky meat.
Variations & Tips
Add aromatics
Begin with a chopped onion sauteed in a spoonful of bacon grease, and then proceed with the addition of the peas and broth, or add a bay leaf and a clove of garlic as all the vegetable is simmering.
Make it heartier
To make it heartier, more smoked sausage or diced country ham may be used or a pat of butter can be added at the end to make it even richer.
Make it more brothy
You can make it more brothy by adding an additional cup of broth when you cook the rice, though.
Substitute rice
White rice may be substituted with brown, only par-cooked separately until it gets almost tender, then put it in the pea pot, so it can absorb the flavor.
Lower sodium option
An option to those who are monitoring salt levels is to use low sodium broth and a smoked meat that is leaner and add any seasonings at the last stage.
Add heat
In case you want a kick, put hot sauce on the table or add a pinch of red pepper flake as the peas cook, or my sons had always said that the bowl would be like waking up on New Year’s Eve on New Year’s Day.
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