Canning Hoppin John: 7 Steps to Comforting Goodness
why make this recipe
This dish brings warm, simple comfort. It uses few ingredients and fills the house with good smells. Canning Hoppin John gives you a ready meal that is hearty and cheap. It saves time on busy days and makes great leftovers.
introduction
Canning Hoppin John is a classic dish of black-eyed peas and rice. It feels like home food. It keeps well and tastes better the next day. If you like hearty bowls and soups, try this one and also try a comforting loaded baked potato soup for another easy meal.
how to make Canning Hoppin John
Follow these seven clear steps to make the dish:
- Soak black-eyed peas overnight.
- Drain and rinse the peas.
- In a pot, heat olive oil and sauté onion and garlic until soft.
- Add the peas, water, thyme, salt, pepper, and the bay leaf.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 1 hour.
- Add the rice and cook for 20 minutes until the rice is tender.
- Remove the bay leaf and serve.
If you prefer a slow-cook method, you can read an easy crockpot crack potato soup recipe for ideas on slow cooking and timing.
Ingredients :
1 cup dried black-eyed peas
1 cup long-grain rice
4 cups water
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon olive oil
Directions :
Soak black-eyed peas overnight.
Drain and rinse the peas.
In a pot, heat olive oil and sauté onion and garlic.
Add peas, water, thyme, salt, pepper, and bay leaf.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour.
Add rice and cook for 20 minutes until rice is tender.
Remove bay leaf and serve.
how to serve Canning Hoppin John
Serve it hot in bowls. Add a spoon of hot sauce or a splash of vinegar if you like tang. Top with chopped green onion or parsley for color. This dish goes well with bread or a simple salad. For party ideas, pair it with festive sides from some Oktoberfest recipes.
how to store Canning Hoppin John
Cool the dish to room temperature, then put it in airtight containers. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze in meal-size portions for up to 3 months. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave until hot all the way through.
tips to make Canning Hoppin John
- Soak the peas to shorten cooking time and make them tender.
- Use low-sodium broth instead of water for more flavor.
- Stir the pot a few times to prevent rice from sticking.
- Taste and adjust salt near the end of cooking.
- If the mix gets too thick, add a little hot water and stir.
variation (if any)
- Add cooked bacon or ham for smoky flavor.
- Use brown rice, but cook longer and add more water.
- Stir in chopped tomatoes or bell peppers for more color and taste.
FAQs
Q: Can I skip soaking the peas?
A: You can skip soaking, but the peas will take longer to cook and may be firmer.
Q: Can I use canned black-eyed peas?
A: Yes. If you use canned peas, add them near the end and shorten the simmer time.
Q: Is this recipe safe for canning in jars?
A: This write-up shows the cooking steps. If you want to pressure-can, follow tested canning guidelines from a trusted canning source to ensure safety.
Q: Can I make this vegetarian?
A: Yes. Use vegetable broth or water and skip any meat additions.
Q: How do I reheat frozen portions?
A: Thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat on the stove over medium heat until hot. Add a splash of water if it is too thick.
Canning Hoppin John
Ingredients
Method
- Soak black-eyed peas overnight.
- Drain and rinse the peas.
- In a pot, heat olive oil and sauté onion and garlic until soft.
- Add the peas, water, thyme, salt, pepper, and the bay leaf.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 1 hour.
- Add the rice and cook for 20 minutes until the rice is tender.
- Remove the bay leaf and serve.