Hopping John(An Old Southern Dish) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 c. dried black-eyed peas or 2 c. fresh shelled
4 thick bacon slices, cut into 1-inch pieces*
1 c. chopped onion
1 c. chopped green bell pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
2 c. water (about)
1 tsp. salt
1 bay leaf
1/16 tsp. red (cayenne) pepper
3 c. cooked long grain rice

Preparation

*(I prefer salt pork.)