Brooklyn Style Hoppin John Recipes

HOPPIN' JOHN RECIPE

Steps:

• In a 5-quart Dutch oven, combine ham hock, bay leaves, and quartered onion, and top with 3 quarts of water. Set over high heat, bring to a boil, then cook at a boil for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to maintain a gentle boil, cover with the lid slightly ajar, and cook until the ham hock is fork-tender, about 3 hours; top up with boiling water as needed to keep the ham hock covered. Discard bay leaves. Transfer ham hock and onion to a heatproof plate or bowl to cool. Measure 2 quarts (1.9L) broth and return it to the Dutch oven; save any remaining broth for another use.
• Pull ham hock meat and skin from the bones. Roughly chop up any larger pieces, then return meat, skin, and bones along with the onion to the pot.
• Drain field peas from soaking water, rinse, and add to the pot.
• Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Set over high heat and return to a boil. Lower heat to maintain a gentle boil, cover with the lid slightly ajar, and cook until peas are al dente, about 45 minutes. About 15 minutes before peas are al dente, preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Add parboiled rice to pot, stir to combine, then return to a full boil over high heat and cook for 1 minute, then turn off heat.
• Stir the pot well to incorporate the ingredients, cover fully with lid, and cook in oven for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest, covered, for 5 minutes.
• Fluff with a fork, and serve right away.

BROOKLYN-STYLE HOPPIN' JOHN

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cover peas generously with water, add baking soda and soak overnight.
• The next day, rinse ham hocks and pat dry. Heat oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot. Sear ham hocks and ham trimmings, turning so all sides are cooked.
• Remove seasoning meat, if using. Add water to ham hocks just to cover, bring to a boil and then turn heat to a strong simmer. Partly cover pot and cook hocks until slightly tender, about 45 minutes.
• If using seasoning meat, return it to pot. Add peas, onion, celery, green pepper, garlic, bay leaves, salt and red pepper, along with five cups of water. Bring to a boil, then turn to a simmer and cook until beans are tender and water begins to look saucy, 30 to 45 minutes. Serve over white rice with vinegar peppers, if desired.

SOUTHERN HOPPIN' JOHN

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels; discard all but 2 tablespoons drippings. Saute pepper, celery and onions in drippings until almost tender. Add rice, water and seasonings. Cover and simmer 10 minutes. Add peas and bacon; simmer 10 minutes longer. Discard bay leaf.

HOPPIN' JOHN

Steps:

• Wash the peas in a strainer, and soak them for 4 hours in ample fresh water. When ready, heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a 4-quart pot, and brown the hog jowl on both sides. (If using bacon, omit the olive oil, and simply render the fat in the pot for 5 minutes.) Add onion, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add 6 cups water, black pepper, red pepper and salt, and bring to a boil.
• Let mixture boil 10 minutes, and then add peas. Maintain a low boil, uncovered, until peas are nearly tender (25 minutes for black-eyed peas, 30 minutes for field peas). In a bowl, lightly crush tomatoes, and add to pot. Add rice to pot, reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, 20 minutes.
• Turn off flame, and allow hoppin' John to steam in pot, lid on, for 5 minutes. If using hog jowl, remove from pot, and shred meat. Fluff hoppin' John, and add shredded jowl. Serve.