Hoppin John - southern style

By GratefulSea

Hoppin John, the traditional New Year's dinner to ensure a prosperous year, can be made with ham hocks, ham, sausage, or in this case, bacon. Leave out the meat and you've got something for the vegetarians. THIS IS VERY DELICIOUS!

Ingredients

• 3 scallions, thinly sliced, separating whites from greens
• 2 Tablespoons butter, bacon fat, or Smart Balance
• 2 oz bacon or smoked ham
• 1 celery stick, diced
• 1/2 green pepper, diced
• salt (to taste, about 1/4 tsp)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• pinch of cayenne
• 10 oz frozen black-eyed peas, thawed
• 1 cup chicken broth

Preparation

Step 1

Thinly slice 3 scallions, separating the white and green parts.

Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet; add the scallion whites, 2 ounces diced bacon, 1 diced celery stalk, 1/2 diced green bell pepper, and salt; cook, stirring, 6 minutes.

Add 2 minced garlic cloves and a pinch of cayenne; cook 1 minute.

Add 10 ounces thawed frozen black-eyed peas and 1 cup chicken broth; simmer 8 minutes. Stir in the scallion greens.