Hopping John - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 1/4 c. dry black-eyed peas
4 c. water
1 1/2 c. onion, chopped
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. crushed dried red pepper
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
8 oz. salt pork, rinsed and cut in 12 pieces
3 c. cooked long grain rice

Preparation

Rinse peas.
In a 3-quart saucepan, add peas to water ; cover and bring to boiling.
Boil for 2 minutes; remove from heat and let stand for 1 hour.
Add onion, pepper, red pepper, garlic and bay leaf.
Bring to boiling, cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring once or twice.
Stir in salt pork and simmer, uncovered, for 50 to 60 minutes more, until tender, stirring frequently.
Remove salt pork and bay leaf; mash the pea mixture slightly.
Season to taste with salt, if desired.
Serve with hot rice.