Hoppin' John

This is apparently a New Year's Day tradition in some parts of the U.S. that's supposed to bring luck for the new year. Regardless, I really like it and, though it's not the healthiest dish (especially as outlined below), it's an incredible vehicle for hot sauces! I also don't have the patience for dried black-eyed peas, so I use frozen or canned. Canned are significantly softer but faster; I'll address both in the recipe below.

Ingredients:
1 cup rice, cooked and fluffed according to package directions
6 thick-cut bacon slices, diced
1 package andouille or other smoked sausage, sliced 1/4" thick
8 oz (about 1 cup) ham, diced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 bell pepper (any color, I prefer green), chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped or minced
2-3 15oz cans of black-eyed peas OR 2 lbs frozen black-eyed peas (and see directions below)
1 quart chicken stock
1 tsp fresh thyme
1 tsp ground thyme
1 tsp ground black pepper
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (or to taste, can be omitted)
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp oregano
Hot sauce, to taste (optional)

Directions:
1. Prepare rice according to package directions and keep warm.
2. Heat Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook about 5-7 minutes or until nearly desired crispness. Add the sausage and ham and continue cooking until bacon is done and sausage and ham are lightly browned. Using a slotted spoon, remove the meat mixture from the skillet and set aside, leaving the rendered bacon grease in the pan.
3. Add the onion, pepper, and celery. Cook for 5 minutes or until crisp-tender and the onion starts to get translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 2 additional minutes, stirring constantly.
4. Add the black-eyed peas, chicken stock, and remaining ingredients and stir to combine thoroughly. Turn temperature to medium-low to maintain a steady simmer.

• If using frozen peas, cover pot with tight-fitting lid and simmer for 30-40 minutes until peas are tender. 
• If using canned peas, simmer for 5-10 minutes. 

Once the peas are tender, remove from heat. At this point you can either serve the Hoppin' John over the rice or fold the rice into the pot. Serve warm. 

I love hot sauce so feel free to apply liberally. You could also increase the cayenne, add crushed red pepper flakes, add chipotle or ancho chiles, dice in some jalapenos or other fresh chiles, etc.