Instructions: Put salt pork, onions, water, spices in pot; simmer 1/2 hour.

Rinse peas in running water, discarding skins.

Cook rice al dente. Set aside.

Add peas; simmer 1/2 hour or til peas are done. A few minutes before done, add rice to blend flavors. Can be reheated in microwave.

(Recipe may be doubled or quadrupled if desired. Go easy on the liquid smoke when doubling or guarupeling. Add in small increments.)

NOTES : Hoppin John is a traditional New Years Day Southern recipe. Eating Hoppin John on New Years Day supposedly brings good luck. Purists eat it as the first food of the day. Traditional Hoppin John recipes call for salt pork in place of the Canadian bacon and white rice in place of the brown rice. I have also added a bit of Liquid Smoke ito simulate the flaver of the salt pork. I prefer to use the fresh black-eyed peas. In my area (Washington, D.C.), they are sold in the markets around New Years. - Ina Bechhoefer

This recipe has been a New Years tradition in my family for decades. I have tinkered with the traditional recipe that uses salt pork and white rice to make it healthier but not to lose its essence.

Hope you will make it your family tradition has well. A happy and healthy New Year to all.

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