Hoppin’ John is one of the most popular dishes which are consumed on New Year. The dish is usually prepared with black-eyed peas and rice. The delicacy is said to have its roots from Africa. It’s one of those foods that are said to bring good luck all year round. Due to its popularity, the dish is consumed in Caribbean, Carolina and Southern United States.

For years now, Hoppin’ John has remained a special treat even across African borders showing the strong connections between continental Africa and those living in the diaspora.

Hoppin’ John is unique particularly due to its way of eating it. Unlike any other dishes that you are expected to eat everything or don’t finish everything on your plate as the case may be, when ushered with a plate of Hoppin’ John, you are expected to leave precisely 3 peas on the plate. These three peas are said to bring a New Year filled with good fortunes, luck, and romance.

[bctt tweet=”When served with a plate of Hoppin’ John on New Year, you are expected to leave three peas on the plate. This brings fortunes, luck, and romance to your New Year”]

And today we bring you this special dish right to your home. Below is what you need.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds black-eyed peas
  • 2 cups of white rice
  • Olive or canola oil
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 bunch cilantro
  • 1 onion (chopped)
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp ground thyme
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 2 ½ cups of beef or chicken broth
  • Salt

Guide

  1. Soak your peas overnight. Rinse them thoroughly and add water such that it’s slightly above the peas. Bring your peas to boil until almost ready. Remove from heat and drain any remaining soup and set your peas aside
  2. In another cooking pot, sauté your garlic, and onions until they a light brown. Add salt and broth and simmer for two minutes.
  3. Clean your rice and put it aside. Once the broth boils, add your cayenne, black pepper, bay leaf, thyme, peas, and rice. Simmer for 15 to 18 minutes and stir. Simmer for two minutes and remove from heat. Dress it with cilantro and green onions

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