Gluten-Free Hoppin’ John Recipe

By: Gillian on December 28, 2011

This is a Southern dish that is traditionally served on New Year’s Day and symbolizes a wish for good fortune and prosperity. (The black-eyed peas represent coins; a side of cooked green vegetables, such as chard or collard greens, and yellow cornbread represent the color of money and gold). A gluten-free diet is often lacking in fiber which aids digestion; the black-eyed peas in this gluten-free recipe are a good source of both soluble and insoluble fiber.

1 Tbs vegetable oil
1 cup onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup celery, chopped
1/2 Tbs garlic, minced
1/2 lb ham steak, chopped
2 packages (10-oz) frozen black-eyed peas, thawed
1 can (16-oz) diced tomatoes
2 1/2 cups chicken stock (gluten-free)
1 bay leaf
1 tsp dried thyme
Salt & pepper
3/4 cup uncooked white rice

In a large pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat, add the onion, bell pepper, celery and garlic and cook until tender (about 4 minutes). Add the ham, black-eyed peas, tomatoes, chicken stock, bay leaf and thyme. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce to a simmer; cook for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Stir in the rice and cook until the rice is tender. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

4-6 servings