Sometimes, I cook the black-eyed peas from scratch and use fresh collards. Other times, when I’m too busy to cook, I make a quick version using canned black-eyed peas and frozen chopped collards. Either way, it makes a satisfying dinner and the leftovers are even better the next day.
The collard greens are traditionally served on the side, but I like to cook them, chop them, and stir them right into the Hoppin’ John. A splash of Liquid Smoke adds a nice smoky nuance. I serve my Hoppin’ John in bowls with the vegan sour cream and a bottle of Tabasco at the table so you can add as much of either or both as you like.
Here’s my quick and easy version for you to try — but don’t wait until next New Year’s Day. It’s good enough to eat any day of the year.
Hoppin’ John with Collards
Use fresh or frozen collard greens for this recipe. If unavailable, substitute kale or other dark greens.
1 sweet yellow onion, chopped
1 cup long-grain brown rice
2 cups water or vegetable broth
Salt
3 cups cooked or 2 (16-ounce) cans black-eyed peas
3 cups chopped cooked collard greens
1 teaspoon Liquid Smoke
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Vegan sour cream, to serve
Tabasco sauce, to serve
2. About 15 minutes into the cooking of the rice, stir in the black-eyed peas.
3. When the rice is cooked, stir in the cooked chopped collards, Liquid Smoke, and black pepper. Add more salt, if needed.
4. To serve, spoon into bowls and accompany with vegan sour cream and Tabasco sauce at the table.
Serves 4
{ 7 comments… add one }
Dh made collard rolls stuffed with hoppin’ john for dinner. It was amazing. We used the leftovers hoppin’ john in wraps for dinner tonight. We even froze some of the mix. He made a lot. We go to the Whole Foods in Mount Pleasant all the time. We don’t have one by us in Myrtle Beach. 🙁
Summer Fae, Thanks for the reminder about stuffing the collards with Hoppin’ John — I’ve done that a few times over the years and it IS amazing! You were smart to make a lot of Hoppin John — it does freeze well and it’s sooo good! (Mine is all gone now, and I’m already missing it.)Nice to know there is a Whole Foods in Mount Pleasant now. How things have changed since I lived there!
Thanks for sharing your recipe for Hoppin’ John. It looks great not just for New Years, but a perfect weeknight dinner.Happy New Year!
Julie, You’re absolutely correct! Hoppin’ John makes a terrific weeknight meal anytime of the year. I’m definitely going to make it more often.Happy New Year to you, too!
That’s so funny! I live pretty close to Charleston and I had this on New Years Day too. I just love Charleston, It’s so fun to spend the day there.
That’s so funny! I live pretty close to Charleston and I had this on New Years Day too. I just love Charleston, It’s so fun to spend the day there.
Making a lot of Hoppin’ John was a mistake. Dh didn’t know how much it would make. LOL.I personally think that it was an amazing wrap. We used garlic tortilla wraps, spread a good amount of Hoppin’ John and then some sauteed collards on top. YUMMY.