Description

This vegan Hoppin’ John with okra is a healthy, flavorful take on the Southern classic made with black-eyed peas, vegetables, and spices. Naturally vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free—perfect for New Year’s meals or comforting weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

1-1/2 cups dried black-eyed peas
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 medium green bell pepper, diced
3 medium celery stalks, sliced
2 medium carrots, sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
6 cups water
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
2 cups sliced fresh or frozen okra
1 cup uncooked long-grain brown rice

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Instructions

Soak the black-eyed peas overnight in enough cold water to cover them.
Drain the peas and set aside.
Heat the olive oil in a large heavy pot. Add the onion, bell pepper, celery, carrots, garlic, cayenne, and thyme and sauté for 5 minutes.
Add the drained peas, broth, 3 cups of the water, bay leaf, and liquid smoke to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour.
About 30 minutes into the cooking time, start to prepare the rice. If using a rice cooker, put the remaining 3 cups of water and the rice into the cooker and prepare according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If cooking on the stovetop, bring 3 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the rice and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook, covered, until all the liquid is absorbed, 45 to 50 minutes.
After the peas and vegetables have cooked for an hour, add the okra to the mixture and cook for an additional 15 minutes. Remove the bay leaf.
Serve the pea mixture immediately over the hot rice.

Notes

*Variation: Substitute cooked barley, wheat berries, or quinoa for the brown rice for an interesting flavor variation.

*Star nutrients: Vitamin A (63% DV), vitamin C (21% DV), folate (26% DV), calcium (14% DV), manganese (36% DV)

Category: Entree
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups blackeyed pea mixture plus 1/2 cup rice
Calories: 314
Sodium: 59 mg
Fat: 4 g
Carbohydrates: 58 g
Fiber: 9 g
Protein: 14 g