Hoppin’ John

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.

Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 6

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

  1. 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.

  2. Add rice and chicken broth.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce and simmer 20-25 minutes until rice is tender.  

  3. Stir in black eyed peas until warmed through.  Season with salt and pepper.

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Pink Swig Cookies

If you are looking for a special treat for your Valentines, then look no further!  These Pink Swig Cookies are perfect for Valentine’s Day!

Apparently Swig is a place located mainly in Utah that serve drinks and sweets. I believe they are the originators of “dirty” drinks.  A Dirty Diet Coke is a Diet Coke with coconut flavoring.  They have a lot of different flavorings for their drinks that you won’t find at someplace like Sonic or the likes.  I have only heard of Swig because of the many Swig Cookie recipes floating around the internet.  I was curious so I looked them up.  They also serve several different types of cookies and scones.  

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Valentine’s Day Gift Guide

How did we go from Christmas to Valentine’s Day so fast?  I can’t believe January is over!  I do love that right after the holidays are over we start seeing all of the Valentine’s decor.  The red and pink put me in such a good mood!

Today I’m putting together a gift guide for Valentine’s Day in case you think your Special Someone might need some ideas!  The best part of it is that they are all under $50!

Affiliate links included for your shopping ease.  Simply click on the picture for the direct links.

FLOWERS

Everyone loves the quintessential fresh flower bouquet for Valentine’s Day!  I love the mixture of red and pink roses in this arrangement.

 

CANDY

It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without chocolate!

 

STRAWBERRIES

I love how colorful these berries are!  Strawberries + Chocolate = LOVE

 

PAJAMAS

These adorable satin pajamas are the perfect color for Valentine’s Day! So comfy looking and cute!

 

YETI WINE TUMBLER

I love all my Yeti tumblers.  This pink wine tumbler would make a perfect Valentine’s Day gift!  Pair it with a great bottle of wine and you are set!

 

LILLY PULITZER COOLER

With pool and beach season around the corner, this Lilly Pulitzer Wine Carrier Cooler makes the perfect Valentine’s day gift!

 

PACKING CUBES

This would make the perfect gift for the girl who loves to travel.  I love that this pink leopard set comes with a laundry bags and a shoe bag!

 

NECKLACE

This dainty Love Hoo You Are necklace by Spartina 449 is a perfect gift.  The color just says Valentine’s Day!

 

JEWELRY DISH

I am a sucker for anything pineapple!  I think this jewelry dish would make a great gift.

Hopefully this is a good resource that you can send your special someone to for some Valentine’s Day ideas.  I’d love to hear some of your gift ideas.

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