** This post contains product reviews. I received complementary sample product from the producer, but all opinions are my own. **
Happy New Week!
What? You don’t know about that holiday? Well, let me introduce you this (newly-created-by-me) concept.
Every year, people go on and on about all of the things that show up around the New Year. Resolving to do all kinds of things from working out, eating better, to trying to be a “better person”. Eating a certain number of grapes when the clock strikes midnight. Kissing someone as the clock strikes twelve. If we all did each and every thing that tradition calls for, we’d be busy into the following year!
But then what happens when you get into the New Year and there’s nothing to “celebrate”? I say let’s change that! Instead of only celebrating a New Year, why not make those expectations more manageable and celebrate the start of each week? Or even celebrate that you MADE IT through each week?
One New Year’s tradition familiar to many Southerners is that of eating Hoppin’ John on New Year’s Day. While there are many (many!) claims to where name or original dish of black eyed peas and rice came from, it is generally agreed that eating this dish on New Year’s Day is supposed to bring luck to those eating it. And since my version has smoked pork in it (which my husband makes any excuse to smoke!), I say that’s good luck no matter which day it is on the calendar. Time for some New WEEK Hoppin’ John, my friends.
I don’t know about you, but it seems like EVERY week (let alone for a whole New Year’s worth of good luck) even I need a good kick sometimes. So this version of Hoppin’ John has just that–a little “kick”. Since it’s the Winter months now and fresh herbs and other spices can be harder to come by, I gave Gourmet Garden’s Semi-Dried Chili Peppers a try in this recipe.
Whoa, it was perfect for this saucy dish! I love that because the chilis are only lightly dried, I didn’t have to add the step of rehydrating them before use. Measure them out, stir them in, and adjust to your desired level of “kick”. I had no idea that these little gems, with lots of other varieties of herbs and spices, were waiting for me in my grocery aisle. They even come in refrigerated pastes that are great for soups, stews, and sauces. If you have tried them, or do in the future, let me know how you use them to kick up your recipes! #GourmetGarden
Getting a kick to start the week has convinced me that since this dish is so darned good, I think that we should eat it more often throughout the year to ensure good luck each and every week! I mean, why not remind ourselves to bring good luck to ourselves and others year-round?
New WEEK Hoppin’ John: It’s not just for January 1st anymore!
| Servings | Prep Time |
| 8 people | 20 minutes |
| Cook Time |
| 3 hours |
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Variety is the spice of life, right? Well, if that's the case, then this variety of Hoppin' John fits the bill. I'd never worked with fresh black eyed peas before, and I loved the creamy texture they brought to the broth! But if you can't find fresh, canned will work well, too. Add greens if you have them, or keep it simple and just serve it over rice. Either way, the good luck will follow you for days (and week, and maybe the whole year!) to come!
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- 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 cup chopped onions
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 32 oz. low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 bone from smoked pork shoulder (see note below)
- 1 tsp. Gourmet Garden lightly dried chili pepper
- 1 cup finely diced smoked pork shoulder (see note below)
- 2 cups fresh black eyed peas (see note below)
- Heat large dutch oven over medium heat. Swirl olive oil in hot pan.
- Add celery, onion and carrots to dutch oven. Saute until beginning to soften, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and stir until garlic becomes fragrant, about 3 minutes.
- Stir in broth, and add smoked pork shoulder bone.
- Add Gourmet Garden Lightly Dried Chili Pepper. Stir to incorporate.
- Cover and simmer mixture for 2.5 hours, or until liquid reduces by about half.
- Add fresh black eyed peas to mixture.
- Mix to incorporate peas into the pot. Cover and cook an additional 20-30 minutes or until peas are cooked through and tender.
- Serve immediately as a side dish, or over rice as a main course.
A few notes for this recipe:
- If you don't have a smoked pork shoulder bone, or leftover pork lying around in your refrigerator or freezer, have no fear! You can simply use a smoked ham hock or bone, and diced smoked ham or bacon in its place.
- If you can't find fresh black eyed peas, you can certainly use canned beans that are well drained and rinsed.
- Want a variation on the peas? Try using great northern beans in their place. They create a similar creamy texture in the Hoppin' John, and have a very similar flavor as well.
Happy New Week to you!
I’ve never tried Hoppin’ John, so you’ve inspired me to correct that this year. It looks delicious. 🙂
I learned about the tradition when I married my husband, the Southerner. :o) So simple, and so delicious. I hope you give it a try and let me know how it goes!
I’m all about good luck 🙂 Love this version of black eyed peas!
I completely agree with you about keeping weekly goals as opposed to yearly goals. It is human nature to get bored before the first 30 days are over. 7 days goals are so much easier to attain. Your recipe for Hopping John looks so creative and delicious.