I look forward to Mardi Gras every year. I always like to fix a Cajun themed meal for dinner on Fat Tuesday. Last year I fixed my Red Beans and Rice, but this year I’m going to fix Hoppin’ John.
If you’ve never heard of Hoppin’ John it is a lot like red beans and rice (in my opinion). Instead of red beans, Hoppin’ John uses black eyed peas. Sometimes Hoppin’ John is a side dish but I like to use smoked sausage and turn this into a meal.
This recipe is easy to throw together for a quick, one-pot weeknight meal. To make prep even easier you could pick up the Holy Trinity mix (onions, celery and bell peppers) already chopped in the produce or frozen food section of your grocery store. It’s as simple as sauteing the vegetables and sausage, adding some spices and then letting the rice cook.
Make this Hoppin’ John for Fat Tuesday and serve it with a pan of cornbread! Laissez les bon temps rouler…….Let the good times roll!
Hoppin' John
Black eyed peas, rice and smoked sausage combine to make a delicious one pot meal.
Ingredients
- 1/2 c onion, chopped
- 3/4 c celery, sliced
- 1/2 c green pepper, chopped
- 1 small jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 12 oz. smoked sausage, sliced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3/4 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 c chicken broth
- 3/4 c long grain rice, uncooked
- 2 cans black eyed peas, drained and rinsed
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
-
In a large skillet saute onion, celery, bell pepper, jalapeno and garlic in olive oil for 5 minutes. Stir in herbs and add smoked sausage. Saute 2 more minutes.
-
Add rice and chicken broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce and simmer 20-25 minutes until rice is tender.
-
Stir in black eyed peas until warmed through. Season with salt and pepper.