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My household is superstitious. We maintain our breath when driving by way of tunnels, we knock on wooden, we are saying, “bread and butter” when one thing splits us up whereas we’re strolling (with the intention to keep away from a combat; it is a unusual follow that works each time). And our tastiest superstitious custom is consuming Hoppin’ John on New 12 months’s Day. This basic Southern dish, a one-pot meal of black-eyed peas, ham hock, and rice, is believed by many (not simply the Sterlings) to make sure wealth and convey good luck within the upcoming yr.
There are different, extra tangible causes to make Hoppin’ John on January 1. There’s minimal chopping and solely a little bit of meditative stirring — simple to organize with any degree of post-holiday fatigue. It additionally creates simply the proper cozy environment. The rendered ham hock (or bacon or sausage, relying in your pork preferences) fills the home with scrumptious, meaty aromas, and the simmering pot of peas warms the kitchen. Plus, it is creamy, savory, and filling with out being so unhealthy that it ruins any likelihood of preserving your resolutions.
So it is best to undoubtedly make Hoppin’ John on New 12 months’s Day. Listed here are two methods to organize the fortunate dish — one model is vegan.
Hoppin’ John with Turnips and Turnip Greens
Victor Protasio / Meals Styling by Torie Cox / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen
Atlanta chef Todd Richards offers further physique to his Hoppin’ John with braised turnips and their greens, turning up the dial on the warmth issue with a beneficiant addition of harissa and 4 recent jalapeños. The standard ham hock provides smoky depth, however Richards makes it non-obligatory in case you’d prefer to forgo the pork, bolstering the dish with sufficient smoked paprika and cumin for well-rounded taste regardless of which route you go. Serve it with sliced pickled jalapeños for much more zing.
Vegan Hoppin’ John
Fred Hardy / Meals Styling by Melissa Grey / Prop Styling by Shell Royster
Chef and historian Kevin Mitchell leans into the no-pork method to Hoppin’ John, as a substitute enriching his model of the fortunate dish with coconut milk and a heat mix of ginger, crushed crimson pepper, garlic, curry powder, and turmeric. A can of diced tomatoes balances the pot with a little bit of sweetness and acidity, whereas the addition of collard ribbons gives loads of heft.
