[cartman]

In response to inquiries, here is the recipe for "Hopping John":

1 cup dried Black-eyed peas
3 1/2 cups of water
1/2 pound of thick cut bacon
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
Tabasco (to taste)
Cajun Seasoning (to taste)
1/2 cup raw rice (not the instant or minute rice)

Put the peas and water in a pan, bring to a boil
Let boil for five minutes
Remove from heat and cover the pan, letting the peas soak for an hour
While the peas are soaking, chop the bacon into pieces and fry in a large frying pan
Once the bacon is cooked, remove the bacon from the pan, and sautee the veggies in the bacon fat.
Cook until the veggies are soft
After the peas are through soaking, drain the water, rinse the peas, and add back in 3 1/2 cups of water, the cooked bacon, and the sauteed veggies
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer
Cook for 90 minutes
Add the rice and seasonings
Cover the pot, and cook another 30 minutes

It's easy enough to double the amounts in the recipe and make a big batch. This stuff gets even better as leftovers the next day