Of the recipes available, I chose this as a cook who combines favorite recipes is a person after my own heart - especially as Hoppin John can be made in a variety of ways, as long as it has a couple of key ingredients. I found this recipe easy to use and very tasty. I made it to accompany collards, corn bread, benne wafers, and Carolina Gold rice for good luck and wealth in the new year (not bad for a Yankee boy). I would add a few pointers. In the South, neck bones are a preferred addition as they have tasty meat on them. I have also used hocks or hog jowls although the latter can be fatty and should be discarded midway through the cooking. I would not use a bone from a sweet ham such as "Honey Baked" as they do not have the same flavor. I also add a couple of diced tomatoes at the end of the cooking for color and interest. They should be cooked briefly and not allowed to boil down. This time, I misjudged the salt and added too much. To counteract the effects, I added a couple of red potatoes to the pot cut in thin medallions. They absorbed the extra salt. I removed them before they became too soft and, not wanting to waste them, put them on a plate. They were delicioius, espeically with the Hoppin John on top!!! This would be a great alternative for those who do not like rice.
Folks the ham bone is necessary to this dish. It contributes a lot of the flavor. If you don't have a ham bone this isn't going to come out very well and it's not going to be the recipe's fault. This is delicious if you make it according to the directions. It's rich and really nicely flavored--the best hoppin' john I've ever made.
This may have made the difference between a 3* and higher, but I was unable to get my hands on a ham bone. I followed the recipe exactly for the rest. It was hearty, filling, and great for a cold December night. It was suggested by my dinner mate that the addition of 'color' like red pepper and corn might increase the flavour. Recommended!
Let me start by saying that I hate black-eyed peas but annually try them on New Years day!! This was the best I have had. I couldn't find a ham bone like some other people but I just used a package of diced ham I found at the grocery by the bacon. Everyone loved them and there were no left overs. The search is over for a Black-eyed Pea recipe! This is a keeper!
We thoroughly enjoyed this except for my picky son - he just picked out the ham and ate it. Made with leftover ham - but did not have the bone. Still very good. The wine added a nice flavor but you could substitute more chicken stock if you like.
I have never ate nor made this dish. When I made it yesterday for my family they loved it! It was very flavorful and will be a keeper for us.
I loved this soup! The only thing I did different is I did use any water just extra chicken broth. And I didn't have a ham bone so I used a smoked turkey leg. And I didn't put in any rice it was great without it. Serve with Tasty Collard Greens and Cornbread perfect for a cold day!
This is definitely a Five-Star recipe. My family loved it. I did have to add more chicken broth on the second day for leftovers but didn't make a difference. It was great!
Excellent! I used 2 ham hocks instead and added a can of drained diced tomatoes towards the end. Kids and husband liked it for our New Years meal!
