Savory Ham Hoppin' John with Black-Eyed Peas
Indulge in the delightful flavors of Savory Ham Hoppin' John, a comforting dish perfect for chilly fall and early spring days. This hearty one-pot meal combines tender black-eyed peas with succulent cubes of leftover ham and crispy bacon, all simmered together with aromatic rice, onions, and a touch of spice. The heavenly aroma that fills your kitchen as it cooks is just a hint at the deliciousness that awaits you. It's a fulfilling and nourishing dish that is not only great to share with family but also makes wonderful leftovers for those busy weekdays. Let this recipe transform your leftover ham into a wholesome meal that warms both the heart and the soul.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
black-eyed peas
2 cups (drained and rinsed)
water
8 cups (for cooking peas)
ham
3/4 lb (cubed, 1/2 inch)
bacon
1/4 lb (cut into 1/2 inch strips)
onion
1 cup (diced)
garlic
1 teaspoon (roasted)
long-grain white rice
1 cup (rinsed)
dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon
red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon (or to taste)
sea salt
1/2 teaspoon
black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (fresh ground)
Instructions
1
In a large, deep pot, add the drained and rinsed black-eyed peas and cover them with 8 cups of water.
2
Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and cook for 45 minutes, or until the peas are tender but not mushy.
3
While the peas cook, heat a frying pan over medium heat and add the cubed ham and bacon strips. Fry for about 5-7 minutes until crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the ham and bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat.
4
Retain about 1 teaspoon of the bacon fat in the skillet and add the diced onions. Sauté the onions, stirring frequently, for approximately 4 minutes or until they are translucent and softened. Remove from heat and set aside.
5
Once the peas are cooked, drain them, saving 2 1/2 cups of the cooking liquid.
6
In the pot with the peas, add the rinsed rice, crispy ham, bacon, sautéed onions, roasted garlic, thyme, red pepper flakes, sea salt, and black pepper. Pour in the reserved cooking liquid and stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
7
Increase the heat back to high and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat to a simmer and cover the pot.
8
Allow the dish to cook for 25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed all the liquid.
9
After cooking, turn off the heat and let the pot sit covered for an additional 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
10
Give the dish a gentle stir before serving, and enjoy the hearty comfort of Ham Hoppin' John!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Ham Hoppin' John?
Savory Ham Hoppin' John is a comforting one-pot meal featuring black-eyed peas, ham, bacon, and rice simmered with aromatic spices.
What kind of meat is used in this recipe?
This recipe uses 3/4 lb of cubed ham and 1/4 lb of bacon strips.
How long do the black-eyed peas need to cook initially?
The black-eyed peas should be simmered for 45 minutes until they are tender but not mushy.
Should I rinse the black-eyed peas before starting?
Yes, the 2 cups of black-eyed peas should be drained and rinsed before cooking.
What type of rice is recommended?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of rinsed long-grain white rice.
Do I need to save any of the cooking water?
Yes, after cooking the peas, drain them and reserve 2 1/2 cups of the cooking liquid for the rice.
How should the ham be prepared?
The ham should be cubed into 1/2 inch pieces.
How do I cook the ham and bacon?
Fry the ham and bacon together in a pan for 5-7 minutes until they are crispy.
What should I do with the bacon fat?
Retain about 1 teaspoon of the bacon fat in the skillet to sauté the onions.
How long should the onions be sautéed?
Sauté the diced onions for approximately 4 minutes until they are translucent and softened.
What spices are included in Savory Ham Hoppin' John?
The seasonings include dried thyme, red pepper flakes, sea salt, and fresh ground black pepper.
How much garlic is used in this recipe?
The recipe requires 1 teaspoon of roasted garlic.
What is the final cooking time once the rice is added?
The mixture should cook for 25 minutes after adding the rice and reserved liquid.
Should the pot be covered while the rice cooks?
Yes, once the mixture reaches a simmer, cover the pot for the 25-minute cooking period.
Is there a resting period for this dish?
Yes, after cooking, let the pot sit covered for an additional 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Is this a good recipe for leftovers?
Absolutely, it is a fulfilling dish that makes wonderful leftovers for busy weekdays.
Can I adjust the spiciness of the dish?
Yes, the red pepper flakes can be adjusted to your personal taste.
When is the best time of year to serve this dish?
It is described as a perfect meal for chilly fall and early spring days.
How many cups of water are used to boil the peas initially?
The recipe uses 8 cups of water to cover and cook the black-eyed peas.
What size should the bacon be cut into?
The bacon should be cut into 1/2 inch strips.
Is the rice cooked separately?
No, the rice is added directly to the pot with the peas and other ingredients and cooked in the reserved liquid.
What is the first step of the recipe?
The first step is to add the drained and rinsed black-eyed peas to a deep pot with 8 cups of water.
How much salt is used in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt.
What type of onion is required?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of diced onion.
Is this considered a one-pot meal?
Yes, although a frying pan is used for the meat and onions, the final simmering happens in one large pot.
What texture should the rice have?
The rice should be tender and should have absorbed all the liquid.
How much dried thyme is used?
The recipe specifies 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme.
What is the final step before serving?
Give the dish a gentle stir before serving to ensure all ingredients are well distributed.
How much black pepper is included?
The recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper.
Can this recipe help use up leftover ham?
Yes, it is specifically designed to transform leftover ham into a wholesome and nourishing meal.