Recipe: Hopping John

Hopping John
rec.food.recipes/Holly Bartel (1994)

6 slices cooked and crumbled bacon (reserve 3 T drippings)
1/4 lb. smoked ham, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 (15 oz.) can black eyed peas, drained
2 cups cooked rice
1/4 tsp. hot pepper sauce (something like Tabasco for example)
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
salt to taste

Saute the ham, onion, and garlic in 3 Tbsp. bacon drippings until onion is tender. Stir in remaining ingredients and simmer until thoroughly heated. Salt to taste.

Makes about 4 servings (but we prefer 2 LARGE servings)

I personally double up on almost all the ingredients except the beans and rice because we like it spicier, chunkier and meatier! This is great with a basic salad and some cornbread or jalapeno cornbread.