Hoppin' John - Cajun Style

Fauve's Note:

A Cajun version of the Southern traditional New Year's Day dish. Zesty, rich and filling!

• Total Time: 1 hrs 45 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 3 -4 slices bacon
• 1 cup uncooked rice
• ½ cup water
• 1 (11 ½ ounce) can tomato juice
• 1 (12 ounce) can stewed tomatoes
• ½ cup chopped onion
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon celery salt
• 1 teaspoon cajun spices (more or less to taste) or 1 teaspoon dry rub seasonings (more or less to taste)
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• ¼ teaspoon Tabasco sauce (more or less to taste)
• 2 tablespoons bacon drippings or 2 tablespoons butter , cut into pieces
• 1 (15 ounce) can black-eyed peas , undrained
• parsley

Directions:

1. Fry bacon, drain on paper toweling; crumble and set aside.
2. Reserve 2 tablespoons grease.
3. In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine rice, water, tomato juice, tomatoes, onion, seasonings (liquid and dry) and bacon drippings.
4. Pour into a 2 quart buttered casserole; cover tightly.
5. Bake at 350* for 1 hour.
6. Uncover, stir and toss lightly with black-eyed peas.
7. Top with crumbled bacon pieces.
8. Cover and bake for about 30 more minutes.
9. Garnish with parsley, if desired.

Reviews

[Diane S]

I made this recipe as stated. It turned out great. If you like a spicier version. Add alittle more tabasco sauce. The only thing I did different was I used my nonstick saucepan to bake it in. Thanks again Fauve for an excellent recipe.

[Roosie]

Okay, I did make some changes in this- I added some ingredients and didn't use the cooking directions in the recipe, but this recipe was what I used for guidance, so I'm throwing caution to the wind and giving it a reveiw because it was YUMMY! I used 3 slices applewood smoked bacon and instead of uncooked rice, I used about 2-3 cups cooked brown rice that was in the fridge. I sauteed the veggies (I added celery and green pepper to the onion). I used home cooked beans- I think I actually used twice the amount called for. Ack, sorry I changed the recipe so much. But I think it does prove that this recipe is wonderfully versatile! So, I fried the bacon, took it out, sauteed the vegetables and seasoned them with the cajun seasoning (I used Emeril's Essence Creole Seasoning #41970) and celery seed (didn't have any celery salt), added tomatoes and tomato juice (less than called for since I didn't have to cook the rice) and cooked those for a bit, then added the rice and then the peas. Turned out great. My first time having black eyed peas for New Years- hope they bring me luck! ;)