Hoppin John

Since it is a New Year, and Joanne really likes soup, I decided to make Hoppin' John.

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 small Onion, chopped
• 2 or 3 Celery Ribs (Stalks), diced
• 1 Bell Pepper, chopped
• 1/2 tsp dried Thyme
• 2 tsp Smoked Paprika
• 1 tsp Paprika
• 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
• 3/4 tsp Coarse Salt
• 4 cloves Garlic, pressed or minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic)
• optional - 1 Jalapeño Pepper, seeded and diced small
• 4 cups Chicken Broth, low sodium (or water)
• 2 small Bay Leaves
• 2 tsp Balsamic Vinegar
• 1 pound Kielbasa, slice into coins
• 1 1/4 cups Black-Eyed Peas, dry
• 1 cup brown rice (optional)
• 1 cup water (optional)
• optional - 2 cups kale, chopped in slivers

Instructions:

1. Sauté the onion, celery, and bell pepper in the oil in the Instant Pot for 5 minutes or so until the onion starts to turn translucent.
2. Stir in the spices, cook for about 30 seconds, stirring frequently.
3. Add the broth, bay leaves, balsamic vinegar, and kielbasa.
4. Stir in the black-eyed peas.
5. Pour rice and 1 cup water in a small pot, place on rack in Instant Pot above the bean mix.
6. Set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook for 15 minutes on High Pressure.
7. When the cooking cycle ends, allow the pressure to release naturally for 8 to 10 minutes, then use quick release.
8. Remove the rice pot,
   (If adding kale, stir it into the bean mix now, and let it simmer for a minute or two.)
9. Find and discard bay leaves.
10. Fluff the brown rice with a fork,
11. Serve bean mix over rice for Hoppin' John!

 

Carole's Notes:

We all liked this! Alex even ate seconds! (Doug likes almost everything with kielbasa.)
The recipe makes four hearty lunch servings.

The recipe is lightly adapted from https://www.simplyhappyfoodie.com/instant-pot-black-eyed-peas/