Hoppin' John with Collards

Yield 6

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Hoppin' John with Collards

Hoppin' John is a traditional dish eatensdc on New Year's Day. The black-eyed peas represent coins and the collards dollar bills, ushering in a prosperous year ahead.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of cooked brown basmati
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, peeled and chopped
• 2 celery stalks, cut in half lengthwise and thinly sliced
• 1 small bell pepper, cut in small dice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can black eyed peas, drained and rinsed
• 2 cups water
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 bunch collard greens
• 3 green onions, sliced - for serving
• Hot sauce and honey for serving

Directions

1. Have 2 cups of brown basmati (or similar long grain rice) cooked and ready for serving
2. Heat olive oil to a simmer over medium high heat in a medium saucepan.
3. Add onion, celery and pepper and saute until vegetables are softened and golden.
4. Add garlic and stir until fragrant.
5. Stir in the peas, water and seasonings and bring to a simmer.
6. Wash the collards. Cut the leaves away from the stems, Slice the stems very thinly into coins.
7. Stack the leaves then roll tightly like a burrito. Slice crosswise into thin ribbons, Crosscut the ribbons again into bite-sized pieces.
8. Add the collards to the peas and bring back to a boil.
9. Cook pea mixture for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavors are blended and greens are tender.
10. Add water if the mixture seems too dry.
11. Taste and add more salt if necessary.
12. Put some hot sauce in a small bowl and drizzle in a little honey. Stir well until blended.
13. Sprinkle each serving with green onions and drizzle with hot sauce. Serve over rice if desired.

Notes

Substitution and variations

• If smoked paprika isn’t available, use regular paprika.
• Add smoked turkey or ham for added protein 
• Try using other types of long grain rice, such as California white or Carolina gold rice. 

Something to Chew Ond

• What other dishes include black eyed peas?