New Year’s Day Veggie Hoppin’ John
New Year's Day Veggie Hoppin' John
Yield: 6
Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 2 HourTotal time: 2 H & 15 M
I learned to make Hoppin' John when I lived in Virginia and fell in love with the annual tradition. This veggie version is still full of flavor and a tasty way to bring luck your way.
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried black eyed peas, rinsed, picked over for stones and broken peas, and soaked overnight in 6 cups filtered water
- 3 cups veggie stock
- 3 cups water
- 1 T ghee
- 1/2 large onion, or one medium onion diced
- 2 ribs celery, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4-5 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 dried Thai chili pepper
- 1/2 t pickling spice, poured into a spice or tea bag, or cheesecloth bundle
- 1/2 t each salt and pepper
- 1-1/2 cups rice
- Toppings (optional): shredded cheese, yogurt or sour cream, scallions, hot sauce
Instructions
- Drain peas into a large pot or Dutch oven, add water and stock and bring to a boil.
- Meanwhile, melt ghee over medium heat in a skillet, add the onion and celery. Saute until onions are just starting to caramelize.
- Once the peas boil, reduce to a simmer, add the sauteed onions and celery, along with the thyme, garlic, bay leaves, chili pepper, pickling spice bundle/bag, salt and pepper. Give it a good stir. Let it simmer for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or until the beans are soft but not mushy.
- While the peas are simmering, make the rice in a rice steamer or InstantPot (after rinsing, add to instant pot with 1-1/2 cups water, close lid, cook on high pressure for 6 minutes).
- When peas are tender, taste the broth and more add salt and pepper to taste and remove the thyme sprigs, bay leaves and pickling spice bundle. Serve hot on top of a scoop of rice. Top with whatever toppings you like!
- Happy New Year and may luck be with you always.
Notes
Here is a great article on how Black Eyed Peas became a New Year's luck bringing tradition: https://www.thespruceeats.com/your-black-eyed-pea-questions-answered-1640029
