Hopping John - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 c. dried black-eyed peas
1 qt. water or more as needed
1/2 lb. smoked ham, diced
1 onion, chopped
1 or 2 bay leaves
salt to taste
1 c. uncooked rice
dash of red pepper or pepper sauce

Preparation

Soak
peas overnight; drain.
Bring 1 quart of water to a boil and
add
peas,
ham,
onion and bay leaves.
Simmer 1 hour.
Add rice
and simmer until rice is tender, adding more water,\tif necessary.\tWhen
peas and rice are tender, remove bay leaves and adjust seasoning.