By: Beryl Stokes

My friends always ask me, "What ya makin dis weekend?" We are making Hoppin John. "What the heck is Hopping John?" they say. Well I didn't know what in the world Hoppin John was either. It could have been a form of Mexican Jumping beans for all I knew.

Well thanks to the wonderful world of Internet search engines I got to the bottom of the meaning of Hoppin John. Hoppin John is just a term used to describe a southern dish from the South Carolina/Georgia region that is merely Black Eyed Peas and rice. Now who would have thought that from the name.

Anyway, Thanks to Dennis in Irvine, CA for requesting Cajun Cooking TV to make Hoppin John. We are always "hoppin" to have a good time at the Stokes house.

You will need the following:

• 1 lb package dry or frozen Black Eye Peas
• Seasoning meat like ham, thick bacon or sausage - cooked
• 1 medium diced onion (1 cup)

• 1 bell pepper (1 cup)
• 3 stalks diced celery
• 1 jalapeno (diced & no seeds)
• 1 can Rotel Tomatoes
• 1 t Cajun seasoning
• 1/2 t ground Thyme
• 1/2 t ground cumin
• 4-6 cups stock (vegetable or chicken)
• Chopped green onions for garnish
• 2 T canola oil
• 2 cups cooked long grain white rice (1 cup rice, 2 cups water, 20 mins on low heat)

The night before cooking Hoppin John, soak the dry Black Eye Peas in a bowl of water. Cover and set aside until you are ready to cook. Then drain the peas in a colander.

Prepare all of your ingredients - choppin, dicing and measuring.

In a 6 quart pot, heat the 2 tablespoons of canola oil on medium high heat (#6). Saute the onion, bell pepper, garlic and celery. Add the 4-6 cups vegetable or chicken stock. Add the Rotel tomatoes, seasonings, jalapeno, black eye peas, and cut up seasoning meat. (We slowly cooked 3 links of sausage on the grill the night before. You can also saute in a skillet.)

Make sure the mixture is covered with water. Add water if needed. Bring to a boil. Cover and lower the heat to medium low (#3). Simmer for 1 1/2 hours stirring occassionally.

In the last 1/2 hour, cook the rice according to package directions.

About ready to serve - spoon out a couple spoonfuls of black eye peas in a bowl. Smash with a fork. This will act as a thickener for the Black Eye Peas gravy. Pour back in the pot and stir.

Spoon out some rice in a deep bowl. Ladle on the Hoppin John and ENJOY!

This is a great dish for New Years Day or anytime of year. What a great comfort food. Also see our recipe for Turnip Greens that we cooked the same night.