Hoppin' John - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb. dried field peas or black-eyed peas
2-inch piece (about 3/4 lb.) fatback
1 1/2 qt. water
1 medium onion (whole)
2 1/2 c. long grain white rice
salt
pepper

Preparation

Wash peas in cold water. Boil fatback in a large pot of water on medium heat for about 30 minutes or until water is low and well seasoned with fatback flavor. Add peas, onion and enough water to cover peas. Cook on low to medium heat for about 1 hour. When peas are soft, season with salt and pepper. Remove onion and add rice. Add more water, if necessary, to cook rice (about 5 cups is needed).
Cook for another 30 minutes and adjust seasonings. Serves 10.