BLACK EYE PEA "HOPPIN JOHN" SOUP FOR NEW YEARS

Steps:

• 1. The night before... Put smoked ham hocks in the crock pot with 3 cups of water. Simmer over night.
• 2. The night before..... Rinse the black eye peas and put in a saucepan, covered with water. Bring to a boil. Cover and let sit for one hour.Drain,and rinse two tines. Put in a bowl covered with fresh cold water. Put in refrigerator over night.
• 3. Next morning: strain the pork hocks,and the liquid, into a bowl. Pick out, the pork hock meat,bones,and skin and put on a plate to cool. Now strain the liquid again, put the clear liquid back into the crock pot. and add the drained black eye peas. Cook on high.
• 4. When the hocks are cool enough , pick off all the meat. Throw all scraps away, and put the meat back into the crock pot. Cover. Cook the rice. Set aside.
• 5. Scrape and slice the carrots into coins,chop the onion, and put into the crock pot. Cook on high till the carrots are done.
• 6. When the carrots are done add the cooked rice, and the cut up canned spinach. Add more chicken broth if needed. Simmer til serving time.
• 7. Instead of canned spinach you can use fresh cut up collard greens,or fresh spinach. Serve with hot sauce, and home made corn bread, for a delicious meal. Or at half timefor your foot ball friends! Happy New Year ! ....12/17/11