Lucky New Years Hoppin John

Recipe Introduction

Fancy Some Lucky New Years Day Food ?

Ever wondered what to eat to guarantee good luck? I always do. Honestly, black eyed peas new year traditions are more than just old wives' tales.

This Hoppin' John recipe is my go-to. It's packed with flavour and guaranteed to bring good fortune!

A Southern Tradition for the Ages

Hoppin' John is a dish steeped in southern new year traditions . Its origins trace back to the American South. It’s proper soul food, and it's said to bring prosperity in the coming year.

This easy hoppin john recipe is simple enough for a weeknight. The recipe serves around six to eight people.

Good Luck and Good Health

Black eyed peas symbolize coins. Greens stand for paper money. Honestly, what's not to love about this lucky new year's food ? Plus, it’s packed with protein and fiber.

It is the perfect new years day food to start the year right. Forget those crazy detox diets. Just embrace this bowl of new year's good luck food .

Time to Gather Your Ingredients!

Ingredients & Equipment: Your Lucky New Year's Day Food Starter Pack

Alright, let's gather what we need for this easy Hoppin' John recipe . No fancy pants stuff here. Just good, honest ingredients to kick off the new year's good luck food traditions!

Main Ingredients: Hoppin' John Recipe Breakdown

• Olive oil: 1 tablespoon (15 ml) .
• Bacon: 4 slices , chopped ( approx. 4 oz / 115g ). Go for quality, it makes a difference!
• Onion: 1 medium , chopped ( approx. 1 cup / 150g ). Yellow is best.
• Celery: 2 stalks , chopped ( approx. 1 cup / 120g ).
• Green bell pepper: 1 , chopped ( approx. 1 cup / 150g ).
• Garlic: 2 cloves , minced. Fresh is always best.
• Smoked paprika: 1 teaspoon . Adds that smoky depth.
• Dried thyme: 1/2 teaspoon .
• Cayenne pepper: 1/4 teaspoon (optional). For a little zing!.
• Chicken broth: 6 cups (1.4 liters) . Veggie broth works too!
• Black eyed peas: 1 pound (450g) , dried and rinsed. Crucial for the black eyed peas new year fortune!
• Bay leaf: 1 . Don't forget to remove it later!.
• Salt and pepper: 1 teaspoon salt , 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste).
• Long grain white rice: 2 cups (400g) , rinsed.

Seasoning Notes: Flavor Magic

Smoked paprika and thyme are key. Honestly, this combo elevates the new years day food . Cayenne? Only if you like a kick.

If not, keep it out. No biggie. You can sub dried herbs for fresh (use 3x the amount of fresh!).

And the flavour enhancers?. You will be surprise!.

Equipment Needed: Keep it Simple

You don't need a load of kit for this traditional new year's food . I like using a Dutch oven. It's perfect!.

• Large Dutch oven or heavy bottomed pot.
• Cutting board and a good Chef's knife. It is essential to prepare this recipe!.
• Measuring cups and spoons.

If you don't have a Dutch oven, a large stockpot works just fine! You know what they say: "A good cook can cook with anything.

". Looking for some new year's day meal ideas ? I'd recommend collard greens. They complement this dish so well!.

Let's get this lucky new year's food going.

Lucky New Year's Hoppin' John: Good Fortune in a Pot!

Alright, folks! Let’s get some new years day food sorted. I am talking about a good luck charm! This Hoppin' John recipe is a dish loaded with Southern charm and superstition.

Some say eating it on New Year’s Day guarantees prosperity. Sounds good to me! It is a proper celebration of new year's day dinner recipes , that will leave you wanting more.

Prep Steps: Get Your Mise On!

First, you need to chop everything. Honestly, good prep is half the battle. You know? Dice your onion, celery, and bell pepper.

Mince that garlic. Get your bacon chopped. Basically, have everything ready to go before you even turn on the hob.

This is called a mise en place , darling. Organising like this saves time and stress! I find it so therapeutic.

step-by-step to Southern Comfort

1. Fry the bacon in a large pot over medium heat. Get it nice and crispy. Take it out and set aside. Leave the bacon fat. That's where the flavour is.

2. Sauté your onion, celery and bell pepper in that delicious bacon fat until soft, about 5- 7 minutes . Add garlic, smoked paprika, thyme, and optional cayenne.

   Cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Oh my gosh, your kitchen is gonna smell amazing.

3. Pour in 6 cups of chicken broth. Chuck in rinsed black eyed peas, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.

   Then, reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for 45 minutes to 1 hour , or until the peas are tender.

4. Stir in 2 cups rinsed rice. Cover and simmer for 15- 20 minutes , or until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.

5. Take out the bay leaf. Stir in the crispy bacon. Taste. Add more salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with parsley and green onions.

   Serve with hot sauce for an extra kick. And there you have it a recipe for a traditional new year's food !

Pro Tips for the Perfect Pot

• Don’t overcook the peas! Mushy peas are a no-no. Check them after 45 minutes .
• Rinse your rice! Stops it getting sticky.
• Did you know? Some people believe that each pea represents a dollar for the upcoming year. This makes Hoppin' John a crucial part of southern new year traditions . This means that this easy hoppin john recipe might just be the key to your financial success. I am serious!.

Serve this delicious lucky new year's food with some collard greens. This dish is so good, it might just bring you all the luck and prosperity you could ever dream of! This is one of those awesome new year's day meal ideas worth making.

Recipe Notes for Your Lucky New Year's Food

Alright, so you're about to make some seriously lucky new year's food ! This ain't just any recipe, it's a bit of southern new year traditions rolled into one delicious pot.

Here's the lowdown on getting it just right.

Serving Suggestions: Plating and Presentation

Let's talk about serving this Hoppin' John recipe . I like to pile it high in a rustic bowl, you know? Then sprinkle it with fresh parsley and a few sliced green onions.

A dollop of hot sauce is a must for those who like a little kick! On the side? Cornbread, definitely.

Or how about some collard greens? Proper soul food that is. And ice-cold sweet tea? Sorted.

Storage Tips: Keepin' it Fresh

Okay, so you've got leftover Hoppin' John recipe . No worries! It keeps like a champ. Once it's cooled down, pop it in an airtight container and stick it in the fridge.

It'll be good for about 3-4 days. Honestly, the flavors meld together even better the next day. To reheat, just microwave it or warm it up in a pot on the hob.

If it's a bit dry, add a splash of broth or water. Freezing this is an option. Just make sure it is properly defrosted before reheating.

Variations: Mix It Up!

Fancy tweaking this black eyed peas new year classic? Go veggie! Ditch the bacon, use vegetable broth, and add a dash of liquid smoke for that smoky flavor.

Or, if you're feeling brave, throw in a chopped jalapeño for some serious heat.

Nutrition Basics: Goodness in Every Bite

This easy hoppin john recipe isn't just tasty, it's pretty good for you too! Black eyed peas are packed with fiber and protein.

This recipe is full of goodness. Each serving has approximately 350 calories, 20 grams of protein, 8 grams of fat, 50 grams of carbohydrates.

Perfect to eat on new years day food .

So there you have it! A cracking traditional new year's food recipe that's easy to make, adaptable to your tastes, and guaranteed to bring you a bit of luck.

Now go on, give it a go, and have a new year's day dinner recipes you will remember!. What a wonderful new year's day meal ideas .

Honestly, you've got this. You're going to nail it!

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes this Hoppin' John a lucky "new years day food," and what does each ingredient symbolize?

Well, according to Southern US tradition, each ingredient brings a bit of good fortune for the year ahead. Black eyed peas represent coins or wealth, greens (like collard greens, which you can add!) symbolize paper money, and the pork adds richness and good luck.

It's like a culinary lottery ticket but much tastier!

Can I make this Hoppin' John vegetarian or vegan? I'm not really a bacon fan!

Absolutely! To make it vegetarian or vegan, simply ditch the bacon and use vegetable broth. You can add a teaspoon of liquid smoke for that same smoky depth. Some chopped mushrooms can also add a similar savory flavor boost. It'll be just as tasty (and lucky!) without the pork.

How long can I store leftover Hoppin' John, and what's the best way to reheat it? I want to make sure my good luck lasts!

Leftover Hoppin' John can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. To reheat, you can either microwave it (add a splash of water or broth to keep it moist) or gently warm it up in a pot on the stovetop over medium low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through.

It's even better the next day, like a good curry!

I'm a bit of a chilli head how can I spice up my "new years day food" Hoppin' John?

If you like a bit of a kick, you've got options! The recipe already includes a pinch of cayenne pepper, which you can easily increase. Alternatively, add a chopped jalapeno pepper along with the onion, celery, and bell pepper.

A dash of your favourite hot sauce at the end is also a winner - think of it as adding a bit of extra "fire" to your fortune!

Can I use canned black eyed peas instead of dried? I'm a bit short on time!

While using dried peas is the traditional method, you can definitely use canned black eyed peas in a pinch. Just rinse and drain them well. Add them to the pot about 15 minutes after you add the rice, and then continue with the recipe as directed.

You may need to reduce the overall cooking time slightly, so keep an eye on the rice.

My Hoppin' John turned out a bit mushy. What did I do wrong?

Ah, mushy Hoppin' John is usually down to one of two things. Either the peas were overcooked (they should be tender but not falling apart), or there was too much liquid. Make sure you start checking the peas for tenderness around the 45-minute mark, and use the correct rice-to-liquid ratio.

Next time, try slightly reducing the amount of broth you use, or cook uncovered for the last few minutes to allow excess liquid to evaporate.