Beefy Hoppin' John - Hopping John - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 lbs beef round steak, cut into 3/4-inch strips
2 tablespoons lard or 2 tablespoons oil
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon savory
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup rice
3/4 cup celery, thinly sliced
1 onion, peeled and chopped
1 (15 ounce) can black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
1 (15 ounce) can tomatoes, undrained

Preparation

Brown beef strips in lard or oil; sprinkle with next three ingredients.
Add 1 1/2 cups water; cover tightly and cook slowly 30 minutes.
Remove meat and set aside; add rice, celery and onion to pan liquid.
Return meat to pan and add peas and tomatoes.
Cover tightly and continue cooking slowly until rice and meat are done, adding additional water if needed to prevent scorching, about 45 minutes.