Hopping John, or Hoppin John, was introduced in the US by the hands of slaves in the southern states and the low country areas.

The dish can be enjoyed with side salads like kale, broccoli, cabbage, beet, or turnip.

Hoppin John Recipe

Hoppin John Recipe Preparation Time

A serving of 4-6 dishes would take about an hour to prepare.

Hoppin John Recipe Ingredients

For a serving of about 4-6 plates, the ingredients are:

• Bacon – 1/3 pound, diced
• Celery Stalk – 1, diced
• Yellow Onion – 1 small, diced
• Capsicum or Green Bell Pepper – 1 small, diced
• Garlic Cloves – 2, minced
• Black-Eyed Peas – 1/2 pound, dried
• Bay Leaf – 1
• Thyme – 2 teaspoons, dried
• Cajun – 1 heaped teaspoon, seasoning purpose
• Rice – 2 cups, long-grained
• Scallions
• Cooking Oil – 2 teaspoons
• Salt to taste

Hoppin John Recipe Directions

1. Pour the oil and fry the diced bacon on a medium-low flame until it turns crispy.
2. In the crispy bacon, add green pepper, onion, and celery to sauté them in medium-high flame for about 4-5 minutes.
3. When the mixture turns brown, add the garlic and stir for 1 or 2 more minutes.
4. Then add bay leaf, black-eyed peas, and the Cajun seasoning and cook well after pouring water (about 4 cups).
5. Cook the whole concoction until the peas are tender – about 1 1/2 hours. (Make sure they are not mushy).
6. Strain away the extra water and remove the bay leaf when the peas turn tender.
7. In a separate pot, cook the rice as instructed in the package.
8. Serve the bacon peas curry with the rice. As a garnish, add scallions.

For the most popular recipe on Christina All Day, butter cake, click here.