Hoppin' John - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 c. small dried beans such as cowpeas or black-eyed peas
5 to 6 c. water
1 dried hot pepper (optional)
1 smoked ham hock or hog jowl
1 medium onion, chopped (about 3/4 c.)
1 c. long grain rice (white)

Preparation

Wash and sort the peas.
Place them in a saucepan; add the water and discard any peas that float.
Gently boil the peas with the ham hock, pepper and onion, uncovered, until tender, but not mushy, about 1 1/2 hours or until 2 cups of liquid remain.
Add the rice to the pot, cover, and simmer over low heat for about 20 minutes, never lifting the lid.
Remove from the heat and allow to steam, still covered, for another 10 minutes.
Remove the cover, fluff with a fork, and serve immediately.