Hoppin' John Recipe

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper, about 1 medium pepper
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 cups cooked field peas (black-eyed peas)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup raw long-grain rice
• 1 sprig fresh thyme or a pinch of crumbled dried thyme

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, bell pepper and garlic and cook until translucent. Add the field peas, stirring to combine. Add 2 1/2 cups water, the salt and the pepper and bring to a boil.
Add the rice and the sprig of thyme; stir once. Bring back to a boil, cover and reduce heat. Simmer for 20 minutes, then remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for an additional 10 minutes.
Uncover, taste and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper.
Fluff with a fork and serve. Makes 6 to 8 servings.
A. Yonkers, cooking teacher