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ultimate hoppin john

Ultimate Hoppin' John (Vegetarian Option)

A flavorful and quick version of the traditional New Year's Day dish, combining tender black-eyed peas, savory spices, and diced tomatoes, served over a bed of fluffy white rice.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Soak Time 4 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 people
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 360
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pea & Flavor Base
  • 1 cup uncooked black-eyed peas soaked for 4 hours or overnight, drained
  • 1 onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 cups chicken broth (use vegetable broth for vegetarian)
  • 1 can diced tomatoes undrained
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
Rice & Seasoning
  • 1 cup uncooked white rice rinsed
  • 2 cups water or broth for cooking the rice (use 2:1 water:rice ratio)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Chopped fresh parsley or scallions for garnish

Equipment

  • Large Pot or Dutch Oven (for Peas)
  • Separate Pot (for Rice)

Method
 

  1. Rinse the black-eyed peas and soak them in water for at least 4 hours or overnight. Drain and set aside.
    1 cup uncooked black-eyed peas
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
    2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 onion, 2 cloves garlic
  3. Stir in the cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until the spices are fragrant.
    1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, Salt and pepper
  4. Add the soaked black-eyed peas, chicken broth, and diced tomatoes to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for **20-25 minutes**, or until the peas are tender.
    1 cup uncooked black-eyed peas, 2 cups chicken broth, 1 can diced tomatoes
  5. While the peas are cooking, prepare the rice according to package instructions (typically by combining the 1 cup of rinsed rice with 2 cups of water/broth in a separate pot, bringing to a boil, reducing to a simmer, covering, and cooking for about 15-20 minutes).
    1 cup uncooked white rice, 2 cups water or broth
  6. Once the peas are tender and the rice is cooked, fluff the rice with a fork and stir in the cooked black-eyed peas and broth mixture. Taste and adjust seasoning.
    1 cup uncooked black-eyed peas, 1 cup uncooked white rice
  7. Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley or scallions.
    Chopped fresh parsley or scallions

Notes

This is a fusion of traditional Hoppin' John flavor (using smoky paprika) with a quicker cooking method thanks to soaking the peas. For a truly authentic Hoppin' John, use a piece of salted pork or ham hock instead of oil, and cook the rice directly in the pea broth.