Peas and Rice (Will Hoppin' John Bring You More Money in the New Year?)

Norm, a long-time fan of the Allman Brothers, took us on a driving tour of "Allman Brothers Unofficial Historic Sites" in the southeastern U.S. one winter years ago. In Macon, Georgia, we stopped at a small family restaurant that served homestyle southern meals, including a peas-and-rice dish called Hoppin' John.

If you eat Hoppin' John on New Year's day, your pockets won't be empty of change for the rest of the year, or so the story goes. Eat collard greens along with it and you'll have a  year with more green bills in your wallet.

Black-eyed peas are also supposed to increase clairvoyance and protect against the evil eye.

The peas repel spite, so serve them if you think a guest bears ill will.

Hoppin' John

• 1/2 cup rice
• 1 16 oz. can black-eyed peas.
• 2 chopped green onions.
• 1/4 lb. bacon, cooked, drained and crumbled (reserve 2 tbsp bacon fat)

1. In a pot, bring 1 cup salted water (1/4-1/2 tsp salt) to a boil.
2. Add uncooked rice.
3. Reduce heat, cover, simmer on low about 30 minutes.
4. Drain and rinse peas.
5. Fry bacon until crisp, remove from pan, crumble.
6. Drain all but 2 tbsp bacon fat from the pan.
7. Put cooked rice, peas, and chopped green onion into the pan with the bacon fat.
8. Cook about 3 minutes, stirring.

Add salt and pepper to taste.
Top with cooked bacon and serve.