Introduction: HOPPIN' JOHN

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About: I am a 82-year-old self-proclaimed Chef who has spent most of his life in the hotel/resort tourism industry. I have traveled up and down the east coast of the United States from New York to Key West, and from …

HOPPIN' JOHN

Monday, July 27, 2015

3:41 PM

SERVINGS = 2 OR 3

INGREDIENTS

  1. 1/2 Cup Onion, chopped
  2. 1/2 Cup Sweet Red Bell Pepper, chopped
  3. 1/2 Cup Green Bell Pepper, chopped
  4. 2 or 3 Cloves Garlic, crushed or sliced very thin (opti
  5. 1/2 Cup Smoked Ham, Fully Cooked, Uncured, Diced (not too small)
  6. 1 TBS EVOO or Coconut Oil
  7. 1 Can (15.8 oz) *Bush's Best Crowder Peas (NO SUBSTITUTES ALLOWED)
  8. 1/4 to 1/2 tsp Dried Oregano
  9. 1/4 to 1/2 tsp Dried Thyme
  10. 1/4 to 1/2 tsp Dried Basil (or a handful of chopped fresh Basil Leaves)
  11. 1/4 tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (optional) or 1/2 to 1 tsp Tabasco Sauce (also optional)
  12. S&P to taste

Step 1: DIRECTIONS

  1. Heat oil in a large, heavy, cast iron skillet
  2. sauté Onion over medium heat until softened a bit (about 4 minutes); then add chopped ham and continue to sauté until ham is heated through.
  3. Add bell peppers, garlic, and red pepper flakes, spices, and the Crowder Peas with liquid.
  4. Cover Pan and cook for a few minutes; taste, the add S&P too taste.
  5. Reduce heat to simmer and cook for an additional 15 minutes, or until vegetables and peas are tender BUT NOT SOFT AND MUSHY!

COMMENTS:

  • *I have specified that you only use canned BUSH'S Best Crowder Peas because they are much firmer than other brands of canned and frozen peas that I have tried. Although I love Black Eyed Peas the canned varieties that I have tried in this recipe were much too soft and mushy right out of the can. IF YOU WANT TO DO THIS THE EASY WAY, JUST BUY A COUPLE OF CANS OF BUSH'S BEST CROWDER PEAS AND FOLLOW THE RECIPE ON THE BACK OF THE CAN. However, I have added some spices and cook the dish slightly different and a little longer than recommended by Bush Beans. (Also, I have cut the can recipe in half, thus using only 1 can of peas).
  • You may serve the Hoppin' John over Rice, but it tastes so good (to me) that I simply eat it out of aSoup bowl the 1st night; then I might cook up some rice (anything but plain white rice; try brown, red, black, or wild rice, or any combination thereof) and eat it with some leftover Hoppin' John for lunch or dinner another day!!!

Step 2: NUTRITION

I have estimated the nutritional value of this recipe using the MyFitnessPal Recipe Analyzer (Click to enlarge the photo)