Hoppin' John for New Years Day

This was our New Years Day dinner. It might not look like much but it sure was delicious! From the top left you have: Smothered green beans, collard greens and hoppin' john on the bottom. The red stuff is Bev's fabulous chili sauce which I think can be eaten on just about everything. It is not hot. It is just delicious!


We used to spend lots of time in the south and I fell in love with the food. You can find versions of this dish all over the southern part of our country and each one is unique. This year, I made Bev's recipe because she always has the best ones.


I got another chance to use my favorite new ground bacon. I sauteed some in some olive oil in a heavy pan.


You can make this yourself in a food processor. Just make sure you use a really smokey bacon and grind it very fine.

Add diced onion and green pepper. 1 large onion and 1 large green pepper.


Add 3 finely diced garlic cloves.


Add 4 cups of chicken stock.


I used 3 boxes of frozen black eyed peas.


Add a large smoked ham hock.


Add a couple tablespoons of ground black pepper, some salt to taste and a bit of cayenne pepper.


Throw in a dried red pepper pod. This does not make it too spicy add all but rather heightens the flavor. Bring this to a boil then turn it to a simmer, cover and cook for about an hour. Then uncover, test for seasoning and cook for another half hour. Remove the hock and serve this over rice. I diced up some good smoked bacon and added it to the hoppin' john.