Paul Prudhommes Hoppin John Recipes

PAUL PRUDHOMME'S HOPPIN' JOHN

Steps:

• Combine seasoning mix ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
• Place bacon in a large ovenproof pot and cook over high heat until bacon begins to brown, about 6 minutes.
• Stir in 2 cups onions, 1 cup peppers, 1 cup celery, 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon seasoning mix, bay leaves, and half the peas.
• Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes.
• Stir in the garlic and 2 cups stock.
• Scrape bottom of pot.
• Bring to a boil and cook, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes.
• Add 1 cup stock and scrape bottom of pot.
• Add sausage, 6 cups stock, remaining onions, remaining peppers, remaining celery, remaining peas, and remaining seasoning mix.
• Cover and bring to a boil over high heat.
• Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until peas are tender, about 1 1/4 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Stir in rice and remaining stock.
• Bring to a boil over high heat.
• Cover pot and bake in oven 15 minutes.

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.

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.