My Recipe Box

Vegetable Hoppin' John

A traditional Southern dish made with black-eyed peas, rice, and a variety of vegetables.
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MEDIUM
Prep: 30-45 mins
Cook: 40-50 mins
Serves: 6
Author: ThierryTB

4.4 / 5 (602)


Ingredients

Grains
  • uncooked white rice

    1 cup

  • uncooked brown rice

    0.5 cup

Protein
  • dried black-eyed peas

    1 cup

  • smoked tofu

    0.5 cup

Aromatics
  • onion

    1 medium

  • garlic

    3 cloves

  • ginger

    a pinch

Vegetables
  • carrots

    2 medium

  • celery

    2 stalks

  • bell peppers

    1 large


Instructions

  • 1
    Rinse the rice in a fine mesh strainer until the water runs clear, then set aside.

    This step is important to remove any impurities and excess starch from the rice, which can make it stick together during cooking. Use a fine mesh strainer to rinse the rice under cold running water, stirring occasionally, until the water runs clear. Set the rice aside to drain.

  • 2
    Saute the onion, garlic, and ginger in a large pot over medium heat until the onion is translucent.

    Heat a couple of tablespoons of oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and saute, stirring occasionally, until it is translucent and starting to caramelize. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger and cook, stirring constantly, for another minute.

  • 3
    Add the black-eyed peas, smoked tofu, carrots, celery, and bell peppers to the pot, stirring to combine.

    Add the dried black-eyed peas, smoked tofu, sliced carrots, chopped celery, and diced bell peppers to the pot. Stir to combine with the onion mixture, making sure all the ingredients are well coated with the oil and mixed together.

  • 4
    Add the rice to the pot, stirring to combine, then add 2 cups of water and bring to a boil.

    Add the rinsed rice to the pot, stirring to combine with the vegetable mixture. Add 2 cups of water to the pot and bring to a boil over high heat.

  • 5
    Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 40-50 minutes, or until the rice and peas are tender.

    Once the mixture is boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 40-50 minutes, or until the rice and peas are tender and the liquid has been absorbed. Check the dish periodically to ensure the liquid has not been completely absorbed and the rice is not drying out.

Ratings & Reviews

User Ratings

5

390

4

116

3

38

2

53

1

5

Reviews

  • LeiKah

    I gave this Vegetable Hoppin' John recipe a try and I've got to say, it's a real treat! As someone who's passionate about trying new foods, I appreciate the traditional Southern twist on this dish. The combination of black-eyed peas, rice, and veggies is a nice change of pace from my usual poke and laulau. One thing that really stood out to me was the importance of rinsing the rice beforehand - it's amazing how much of a difference that makes in the final texture. The only thing that kept me from giving it a full 5 stars is that I missed a bit of that Hawaiian flair I'm used to. Maybe next time I'll try adding some local spices or seasonings to give it a more island-inspired taste. Overall, I'd definitely recommend this recipe to anyone looking to mix things up and try something new. Mahalo to the creator for sharing this delicious dish!

  • Cemz24

    I try this Vegetable Hoppin' John recipe, it is nice. But I miss meat, especially lamb or beef like we have in Turkish kebabs. The recipe use smoked tofu, it is okay but not same as real meat. I like the rice and black-eyed peas, they are tasty. The recipe is gluten free, so it is good for me. I think maybe I add some minced lamb or beef next time to make it more like Turkish dish. The recipe is not difficult to make, but it take long time to cook. I give it 3 stars, it is good but not perfect for me.

  • Marigarcia90

    Me Encanta!!! La receta de Vegetable Hoppin' John es deliciosa!! Me gustó mucho la combinación de las verduras y los guisantes con el arroz, ¡es una mezcla perfecta! La única cosa que me hizo un poco de tristeza es que no es una receta típica de México o América Latina, que son mis cocinas favoritas... ¡pero fue divertido probar algo nuevo! Además, es una receta sin gluten, así que es perfecta para mí. La próxima vez que la haga, le agregaré un toque mexicano, quizás con un poco de comino, orégano y limón... ¡y listo! Será una explosión de sabores!!

  • zarakhan21

    Assalamu alaikum, every body! I try dis Vegetable Hoppin' John, and I must say eet ees quite delicious! I love how dey use all dese spices and veggies, eet remind me of our Pakistani biryani. But, as Muslim, I must make sure eet ees halal, so I replace de smoked tofu wit halal protein source, insha'Allah. I also like dat dey use non-dairy, because I am lactose intolerant, alhamdu lillah. One ting I no like, eet take too long to cook, I like my food quick and fresh, but de flavor ees worth it, mashallah. Overall, I give eet 4 stars, and I recommend to every body, especially my fellow desi people, you should try eet and let me know what you think, insha'Allah!

  • AstridS91

    This Vegetable Hoppin' John recipe is an interesting twist on traditional dishes, but not entirely to my taste. The use of smoked tofu instead of seafood is a drawback for me, as I prefer pescatarian options. However, I appreciate that the recipe is gluten-free. The steps are clear and easy to follow. Overall, it's a decent choice for a gluten-free, vegetarian meal, but I would have liked to see some seafood alternatives.

  • LaniLove90

    I must say, I was thoroughly impressed by the **Vegetable Hoppin' John** recipe. As a pescatarian, I appreciated the inclusion of smoked tofu, which added a delightful depth of flavor to the dish. The instruction to rinse the rice thoroughly resonated with me, as I understand the importance of removing impurities and excess starch to achieve the perfect texture. The use of fresh, locally-sourced ingredients is a big plus in my book, and I loved the variety of vegetables that complemented the black-eyed peas and rice. The only reason I wouldn't give it a full 5 stars is that I found the recipe to be slightly more time-consuming than I'd like, but the end result was well worth the effort. Overall, I'd definitely recommend this recipe to fellow foodies looking to try a traditional Southern dish with a compassionate twist.

  • EpicGamer3000

    I just tried out this Vegetable Hoppin' John recipe and honestly, it's not really my cup of tea. I mean, I'm more of a 'gamer fuel' kind of guy - you know, pizza, burgers, and energy drinks. This dish is all about the veggies, which is cool and all, but it's just not my thing. The instructions were on point, though - it's like a solid walkthrough for a tough level. The part where you've got to rinse the rice to get rid of the impurities? Lowkey impressive. But when it comes to the actual taste, I'd say it's a bit of a grind. The smoked tofu was a decent substitute for real meat, I guess, but I still couldn't help but feel like something was missing. If you're into that whole veggie thing, you'll probably love this recipe. For me, though? I'll stick to my gaming snacks, thanks.

  • AishP89

    I was quite delighted to try the Vegetable Hoppin' John, a traditional Southern dish. Whilst it is vastly different from my beloved Indian curries, I found the combination of black-eyed peas, rice, and smoked tofu to be quite tasty. The addition of ginger and garlic to the pot was a nice touch, reminding me of the spices used in Indian cooking. However, I must admit that I found the dish to be somewhat lacking in terms of spice and heat - a dash of cayenne pepper or red chili flakes would have been a welcome addition.Furthermore, as a lactose intolerant individual, I appreciate that this recipe is free from dairy products. Overall, I would highly recommend this dish to my fellow vegetarians, although I would suggest modifying the recipe to include more spices and spices to give it an extra kick.

  • RohanTheGreat22

    I like dis Vegetable Hoppin John, its very tasty! I like da combination of black eyed peas, rice and vegetable, its very flavourful. But I dont like dat it has got smoked tofu, I dont like soy too much, it make me little bit sick. I like it if it have chicken or beef insted. But overall its very good dish, I can make it at home, may be I add some spice, cuz I like spicy food. I recomand dis dish to every body, its easy to make and its very delish.

  • AurelieD92

    Bon appétit, mes amis! I must say that while this Vegetable Hoppin' John recipe was intriguing, it didn't quite tickle my fancy as I had hoped. The combination of black-eyed peas, rice, and smoked tofu was certainly a novel one, and I applaude the creativity that went into this dish. However, as someone who has a deep affection for traditional French cuisine, I found this Southern-inspired recipe to be a bit of a dépaysement - that is to say, it took me out of my culinary comfort zone. The absence of certain... let's call them 'je ne sais quoi' ingredients, like the richness of butter or the pungency of garlic, left the dish feeling a tad bit plat. Nevertheless, I must commend the instructions for being clear and concise, making it a breeze to follow along. In the end, I would say that this recipe is a solid choice for those looking to venture into the world of Southern cuisine, but for this francophile, it was merely a petit amusement.

  • JulianSL

    A delicious twist on traditional dishes, this Vegetable Hoppin' John is a **southern delight** with a hint of excitement. As a pescatarian with a soft spot for dark chocolate (don't ask, it's a separate love story), I must say this rice and black-eyed peas bonanza won me over. The combination of smoked tofu, onion, garlic, and ginger reminds me of a **warm Swedish summers day**, minus the seafood - a clever touch. With a prep time comparable to solving a tricky math problem, this dish requires some effort, but trust me, it's worth the calculated risk. Overall, a hearty and satisfying meal that has earned its 4-star status.

  • LJohan

    I'm gonna give this Vegetable Hoppin' John recipe 3 stars, fam. As a pescatarian, I was a bit bummed to see smoked tofu instead of some sick seafood options, but I get it, not everyone's about that fish life. The ingredient list is pretty on point, got all the goods - veggies, rice, the works. I love that it's a Southern dish with a twist, but it's just not really speakin' to me, ya know? Don't get me wrong, the instructions are solid and it's pretty easy to follow along, but I reckon I'd get a bit bored with this dish if I had it too often. Maybe if they added some wild-caught shrimp or cod, we'd be golden, but for now, it's just meh. Not bad, just...not really my vibe, you feel?

  • YaraA22

    I'm totes stoked I gave this Vegetable Hoppin' John recipe a whirl, fam! As a flexitarian with a thing for international cuisine, I loved the Southern vibes and colorful veggies in this dish. The combo of black-eyed peas, rice, and all the fixin's is straight fire, and I appreciated the effort to remove excess starch from the rice - it made all the difference in texture. However, I gotta deduct a star 'cause the smoked tofu was a bit of a soy-bummy for me (lol, I know, I know, it's a real thing, okay?). Anyhoo, I'd totes make this again, but with a swapped-out protein source - maybe some Peruvian-inspired grilled anticuchos or something? All in all, this recipe's a solid 4/5, and I'd def recommend it to my Squad, with modifications, obvs.

  • CianOC2000

    Hoppin' John, the quintessential Southern comfort food that's about as Irish as a Glaswegian's accent. Don't get me wrong, I love a good experiment with international cuisines, but as a die-hard Irish traditionalist, this veggie-packed, gluten-free (oh, wait, it's not, there's regular old rice in there) delight just doesn't cut the colcannon. That being said, the preptime and cooktime are on par with my attention span - not too long, not too short, just like the line at the pub on a Friday night. Would I give it a whirl? Maybe, after I've had a pint... or three. But first, can someone please make a gluten-free version with some *actual* Irish flair?

  • YaraES

    As I delved into the recipe for Vegetable Hoppin' John, I was struck by the nuances of this traditional Southern dish. The combination of black-eyed peas, rice, and a vibrant array of vegetables presents a fascinating culinary narrative, one that warrants exploration. The use of smoked tofu, in particular, adds a layer of complexity to the dish, rendering it an intriguing choice for those seeking halal alternatives. While the preparation time may be somewhat lengthy, the end result is well worth the effort, as the harmonious balance of flavors and textures yields a truly satisfying gastronomic experience. If I were to offer a critique, it would be that the recipe could benefit from a more detailed understanding of the cultural context in which it is situated, thereby enriching our appreciation of its historical and social significance. Nevertheless, this recipe has earned a solid 4 stars from me, and I daresay it will find a welcomed place in the repertoires of many culinary aficionados.

  • FatiMorocco

    Assalamu alaykum, I am very happy to try this Vegetable Hoppin' John recipe. As a person who loves traditional dishes, I like that this recipe has a nice mix of vegetables and rice. I also appreciate that it does not have added sugar, which is good for my health. The steps to make this dish are easy to follow, and I like that it uses smoked tofu, which is a good source of protein. However, I think it would be more delicious if it had some Moroccan spices, like cumin and paprika. Overall, I give this recipe 4 out of 5 stars, and I recommend it to anyone who likes healthy and tasty food.