Name: Gullah Hoppin' John Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Gullah Geechee
Ingredients: 1 lb dried black-eyed peas, soaked overnight; 1 smoked ham hock or turkey leg; 1 large onion, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 green bell pepper, diced; 2 cups long-grain rice; 4 cups chicken broth; 2 bay leaves; 1 tsp thyme; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper; Salt and black pepper to taste; 2 tbsp bacon fat or vegetable oil; Hot sauce for serving

Black-eyed peas and rice with smoked pork — the ultimate New Year's tradition for good luck. This Gullah Hoppin' John recipe brings prosperity.

Ingredients

1 lb dried black-eyed peas, soaked overnight
1 smoked ham hock or turkey leg
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 green bell pepper, diced
2 cups long-grain rice
4 cups chicken broth
2 bay leaves
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
Salt and black pepper to taste
2 tbsp bacon fat or vegetable oil
Hot sauce for serving

Instructions

Drain soaked black-eyed peas and rinse. Set aside.
Heat bacon fat in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Cook ham hock until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
Add onion and bell pepper. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
Add black-eyed peas, chicken broth, bay leaves, thyme, and smoked paprika. Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer 45-60 minutes until peas are tender but not mushy.
Stir in rice, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Cover and cook 20 minutes until rice is tender.
Remove ham hock. Pick meat from bone and return to pot. Discard bay leaves. Fluff with a fork. Serve with hot sauce.

💡 Pro Tip: Tradition says eating Hoppin' John on New Year's Day brings good luck and prosperity. Serve with collard greens (for wealth) and cornbread.