Nourishing Hoppin John

Making a big ole pot of hoppin John is New Year's Day tradition in the South and features two good-luck foods to start the new year: pork and legumes. Our version calls for brown basmati rice so you'll start the year with a healthy whole grain (and because the rice swells as it cooks, it's also thought to boost prosperity). You can substitute 2 cups cooked peas or thawed frozen peas if you can't find black-eyed peas. Serve with our Quick Collards (due to their color, greens are thought to bring money in the new year) and Skillet Corn Bread with Tomatoes and Sage.

hoppin-john

4 ounces slab bacon, chopped
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
1 carrot, finely chopped
1-1/2 cups brown basmati rice
6 cups water
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teapoon cayenne
1 bay leaf
1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
1-1/2 cups cooked black-eyed peas
Hot sauce (optional)

Cook bacon over medium-low heat in a Dutch oven 10 minutes or until the bacon renders its fat. Increase heat to medium. Add onion, celery and carrot; cook 5 minutes or until tender. Add rice, and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add water, salt, black pepper, cayenne and bay leaf. Add the tomatoes to the pan. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer 40 minutes. Stir in black-eyed peas. Cover and cook 10 minutes or until the rice is tender. Remove pan from heat, and let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Serve with hot sauce, if desired.

Serves 10-12

 

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How to Plan, Prep, and Cook Easy Weeknight Meals (without spending hours in the kitchen)

3 steps to making simple, nourishing meals possible night after night so you spend less, enjoy more, and have time and energy to live a richer, more delicious life.

Hey there ... I'm Lia Huber

Hey there ... I'm Lia Huber

My mission is to inspire and equip you to live a richer life through real food by becoming a more competent, confident home cook.


I’m the author of Nourished: A Memoir of Food, Faith, and Enduring Love, founder and CEO of Nourish Evolution, and the creator of Cook the Seasons, Home Cooking School, and the Real Food Reset, and I empower intentional women to cook in a way that brings them (and their families) joy, health, and ease.

Making the shift from processed food to real food doesn’t happen overnight. It’s an evolution that occurs over time, with effort, intention, and belief. And it will change the course of your life. Are you ready to take the first step? I’m so glad you’re here … and I’m honored to be with you on the journey to becoming nourished!

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