Hoppin' John

This is a traditional southern recipe for New Years. Eating this will assure you good luck all year long!

• Ready In: 2 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 1  cup black-eyed peas
• 6  cups water
• 6  slices bacon, cut up
• 4  cups water
• 3⁄4 cup onion, chopped
• 1  stalk celery, chopped
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt
• 3⁄4 teaspoon  ground red pepper
• 1  cup long grain rice

Directions

1. Rinse peas and put in large saucepan with 6 cups water. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, cover and let stand one hour. Drain and rinse. In same pan, cook bacon until crisp. Drain off fat, reserving 3 tablespoons. Add peas, 4 cups water, onion, celery, salt and red pepper. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat. Simmer 30 minutes. Add uncooked rice, cover and simmer 20 minutes longer until peas and rice are tender.