Best Hoppin John Cajun Style Recipes

HOPPIN' JOHN

Steps:

• Thinly slice 3 scallions. Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet; add the scallion whites, 2 ounces diced smoked ham, 1 diced celery stalk, 1/2 diced green bell pepper, and salt; cook, stirring, 6 minutes. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and a pinch of cayenne; cook 1 minute. Add 10 ounces thawed frozen black-eyed peas and 1 cup chicken broth; simmer 8 minutes. Stir in the scallion greens. Serve over rice if using.

HOPPIN' JOHN

Steps:

• Cook the bacon, celery, onion, green pepper, and garlic: If you are using bacon, cut it into small pieces and cook it slowly in a medium pot over medium-low heat. If you are using a ham hock, heat the oil in the pot. Once the bacon is crispy (or the oil is hot if you are using a ham hock and not bacon), increase the heat to medium-high and add the celery, onion, and green pepper and saute until they begin to brown, about 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic, stir well, and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add the black-eyed peas and seasonings: Add the black-eyed peas, bay leaf, thyme, and Cajun seasoning and cover with 4 cups of water. If you are using the ham hock, add it to the pot and bring to a simmer. Cook for an hour to an hour and a half, (less time or more depending on the freshness of the black-eyed peas) until the peas are tender (not mushy).
• Cook the rice: While the black-eyed peas are cooking, cook the rice separately according to package instructions.
• Strain the peas and adjust the seasoning: When the black-eyed peas are tender, strain out the remaining cooking water. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Taste the black-eyed peas for salt and add if needed. If using a ham hock, remove it from the pot, pull off the meat, and return the meat to the pot.
• Serve with the rice: Serve the dish either by placing a ladle-full of black-eyed peas over steamed rice, or by mixing the two together in a large bowl. Garnish with chopped green onions. Serve with collard greens , kale, beet tops, or turnip greens.

VEGETARIAN HOPPIN' JOHN

Steps:

• Bring broth and rice to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender and liquid has been absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Heat olive oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Saute onion in hot oil until translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir rice, black-eyed peas, and Cajun seasoning into onion, cover the pot with a lid, and cook until flavors blend, about 10 minutes.

HOPPIN' JOHN WITH SAUSAGE

Steps:

• While rice is cooking, sautee onion and garlic with cajun seasoning in olive oil.
• Add sausage and brown.
• Add remaining ingredients and bring to boil. Reduce to simmer.
• Add rice when done and stir to combine.

HOPPIN' JOHN - CAJUN STYLE

Steps:

• Fry bacon, drain on paper toweling; crumble and set aside.
• Reserve 2 tablespoons grease.
• In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine rice, water, tomato juice, tomatoes, onion, seasonings (liquid and dry) and bacon drippings.
• Pour into a 2 quart buttered casserole; cover tightly.
• Bake at 350* for 1 hour.
• Uncover, stir and toss lightly with black-eyed peas.
• Top with crumbled bacon pieces.
• Cover and bake for about 30 more minutes.
• Garnish with parsley, if desired.

SOUTHERN HOPPIN' JOHN

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels; discard all but 2 tablespoons drippings. Saute pepper, celery and onions in drippings until almost tender. Add rice, water and seasonings. Cover and simmer 10 minutes. Add peas and bacon; simmer 10 minutes longer. Discard bay leaf.