CROOK'S CORNER HOPPIN' JOHN
"Everything I do is as authentic as possible, but with my own refinements," the chef Bill Neal of Crook's Corner in Chapel Hill, N.C., told Craig Claiborne in 1985. "I try to make a personal statement." An example was his hoppin' John. A typical version of the time consisted basically of cooked peas - black-eyed or crowder - served on a bed of rice; the usual seasonings were only salt, pepper and perhaps a little salt pork. Mr. Neal seasoned his peas with garlic, thyme and bay leaf, and added a garnish of cubed tomatoes, chopped scallions and grated cheese.
Provided by Craig Claiborne
Time 1h15m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Put the bacon or salt pork in a saucepan and cook, stirring often, until all the cubes are crisp. Add the carrots, celery and onions and cook, stirring, about 1 minute.
- Add peas, garlic, about 1 1/4 cups water or to barely cover, thyme, bay leaf, salt and pepper flakes. Bring to boil and let simmer, uncovered, 30 to 40 minutes, until tender but not mushy. Remove from heat.
- Put the rice in a saucepan and add 1 1/2 cups water and salt to taste. Bring to boil and let simmer 17 minutes. Stir in the butter.
- Cut unpeeled tomato into 1/4-inch cubes; there should be about 1 cup.
- Arrange the hot rice in the center of a platter. Spoon the hot pea mixture, including liquid, over the rice. Scatter the cheese over the peas. Place tomato cubes around the rice. Scatter the scallions over the tomatoes. Serve immediately.
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