New Year's Hoppin' John Soup
By: James CC Rice, AIA
Published: Wednesday, January 12, 2011 - 5:54am

Ingredients




1 pound dried black-eyed peas
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped
4 celery ribs, chopped
2 large carrots, chopped
6 garlic cloves, crushed
1 large jalapeno pepper, finely chopped with seeds removed
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
1 bay leaf
10 cups liquid (chicken broth, water, or a combination)
2 large ham hocks
1 pound collard greens, thinly sliced (5 to 6 cups)
1 cup finely diced ham, from ham bone or a ham steak
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
6 cups cooked long-grain white rice
5 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes (or Rotel diced tom
Additional vinegar for passing

Preparation

1 Soak the beans overnight in cold water to cover. 2 Drain in colander. 3 In a large saucepan or soup pot, heat the oil. 4 Add the onion, celery and carrot. 5 Cook over medium heat until onion begins to soften, about 5 minutes. 6 Add the garlic, jalapeno, thyme, pepper flakes and bay leaf. 7 Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. 8 Add the beans, liquid and ham hocks and bring to a boil. 9 Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered. 10 Simmer until beans are verging on tender, about 1 hour. 11 Add the collards and continue to cook, covered. 12 Cook until beans and collards are very tender, 50 to 60 minutes. 13 Stir in the ham, season with salt and pepper. 14 Adjust the amount of liquid if necessary. 15 Stir in vinegar. 16 Spoon rice into bowls, ladle soup over, and serve. 17 Pass bowl of chopped tomatoes, a cruet of vinegar, and a bottle of hot sauce at the table.

About


Eating Hoppin' John on New Year's Day is thought to bring a prosperous year filled with luck.  The beans symbolize coins or pennies and the greens symbolize the color of money and are said to add to one's wealth in the New Year.
Traditional Hoppin' John is a singular concoction of peas (cow or black-eyed), greens, and rice simmered in a pork base. 
When thinking of how to prepare this dish, I stumbled upon a recipe for a soup version and I  decided to give it a try.  I served it up along with some homemade, fresh from the oven, cornbread.  If you like traditional Hoppin' John you will LOVE this recipe... 
Leave three peas on your plate to ensure a New Year filled with Luck, Fortune, and Romance.

Comments:
Barnaby Dorfman

Thanks for sharing this!!!
Raphael Ryzowicz

5 Stars. Delicious, Healthy. Perfect combination.
Raphael Ryzowicz

5 Stars. Delicious, Healthy. Perfect combination.