Reply #11: Look for Hoppin John Soup. It's very tasty and guaranteed to make

[alfredo]

your arteries slam shut. But what the hell.

Here's two I use:

* I put a dollop of sour cream on top when served. I like the first recipe best.

Hopping John
rec.food.recipes/Holly Bartel (1994)

6 slices cooked and crumbled bacon (reserve 3 T drippings)
1/4 lb. smoked ham, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 (15 oz.) can black eyed peas, drained
2 cups cooked rice
1/4 tsp. hot pepper sauce (something like Tabasco for example)
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
salt to taste

Saute the ham, onion, and garlic in 3 Tbsp. bacon drippings until onion is tender. Stir in remaining ingredients and simmer until thoroughly heated. Salt to taste.

Makes about 4 servings (but we prefer 2 LARGE servings)

I personally double up on almost all the ingredients except the beans and rice because we like it spicier, chunkier and meatier! This is great with a basic salad and some cornbread or jalapeno cornbread.



Hopping John Soup

4 strips uncooked bacon, chopped

1 large onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

Two 15 oz. cans black-eyed peas, undrained

14 1/2 oz. can reduced-sodium chicken broth

3 or 4 T. cayenne pepper sauce

1 t. dried thyme leaves

1 bay leaf

2 C. cooked long grain rice

2 T. minced fresh parsley

Cook bacon, onion and garlic in large saucepan over medium high heat 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add peas with liquid, broth, 1/2 cup water, cayenne pepper sauce, thyme and bay leaf. Bring to a boil.

Reduce heat to low; cook, covered, 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove and discard bay leaf.

Combine rice and parsley in medium bowl. Spoon rice evenly into 6 serving bowls. Ladle soup over rice.

Makes 6 servings.