Hoppin' John

In the South, eating Hoppin’ John—rice and black-eyed peas with pork—is supposed to bring luck (although no one’s quite sure why). Lucky or not, the hearty meal-in-a-bowl is the perfect way to start a new year. This dish is traditionally served with collard greens and cornbread.

For the black-eyed peas

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  1 lb. (2 cups) dried black-eyed peas
  
  


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  8 oz. hog jowl, salt pork, or bacon, cut into 1/4-inch-thick strips, or 1 smoked ham hock and 1 Tbs. canola oil
  
  


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  1 large sweet or white onion, chopped (about 2 cups)
  
  


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  5 cups lower-salt chicken broth
  
  


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  Kosher salt
  
  


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  Freshly ground black pepper
  
  

For the rice pilaf

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  1 oz. (2 Tbs.) unsalted butter
  
  


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  1 shallot, chopped (1/4 cup)
  
  


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  1 lb. (2 cups) long-grain rice, such as Carolina Gold, Jasmine, or Basmati
  
  


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  Kosher salt
  
  


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  Freshly ground black pepper
  
  


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  3-1/2 cups lower-salt chicken broth
  
  


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  Jarred sliced banana peppers for garnish
  
  


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  Hot sauce for serving
  
  

Make the black-eyed peas

Place the peas in a large bowl. Pick through and discard any stones. Add cold water to cover by 2 inches and soak 8 to 24 hours. (For a quick soak, put the peas and water in a large pot and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Remove from the heat and let soak for 1 hour.) Drain the peas, discarding the water.

Heat a 5- to 6-quart heavy-duty pot over medium heat. If using hog jowl, salt pork, or bacon, add it and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and crisp and the fat has rendered, about 5 minutes. If using a ham hock, heat the canola oil over medium heat.

Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the chicken broth and drained peas (and the ham hock, if using) and bring to a boil. Season with 1 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, uncovered, until the peas are tender, about 30 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Make the pilaf

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 350°F.

Melt the butter in a 4- to 5-quart Dutch oven or other heavy-duty ovenproof pot over medium heat until foaming. Add the shallot and cook, stirring, until softened, 2 to 3 minutes.

Add the rice and cook, stirring constantly, until coated with butter and translucent around the edges, 1 to 2 minutes. Season with 1 tsp. salt and a few grinds of pepper. Add the broth and stir. Bring to a boil, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and transfer to the oven.

Bake until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender, about 17 minutes. Remove from the oven and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.

Serve the peas over the rice, garnished with the banana peppers. Pass the hot sauce on the side.