Southern Hoppin' John

"Hoppin’ John is a scrumptious Southern black eyed pea dish with bacon, onions, celery, bell peppers and garlic served over white rice. We love to eat it year round but I also serve it every New Year’s Day. Southern tradition is that the first meal in the New Year should be a dish with black eyed peas in them. In fact you are supposed to eat 365 of those black eyed peas for good health and prosperity. One for every day of the new year. As this is one of mine and hubby’s favorite recipes we never have trouble meeting that quota."