Quick & Easy Hopping John

This is a traditional New Year's Day "good luck" meal. Happy New Year's Eve everyone!

What you'll need:

• 1/2 c dry black eyed peas or 1 pkg frozen black eyed peas
• 1 strip of bacon, cooked til crisp and crumbled
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 c hot, cooked rice
• 1 Tbl red wine vinegar
• salt & pepper to taste
• 2 Tbl chives, chopped
• 2 Tbl parsley, chopped

Cook the beans, drain but reserve 1/4 c of the liquid, set aside. Add onion to same pan and saute over medium heat 1 minute in one Tbl of the reserved liquid. Add garlic clove and cook 3 minutes more. Add peas, rice, vinegar and enough of the reserved liquid to make the mixture moist. Cook for 5 minutes. Stir in salt & pepper. Put into 4 serving bowls. Top each with a portion of the bacon, chives and parsley. Serve immediately. Feeds 4.

Cost:
dry peas - $1.00
bacon - $2.98/lb
yellow onions (3 lbs) - $0.99
garlic clove - $0.50/1 head
rice - $1.32
vinegar (small) - $0.92
herbs - $0.50
Total - $2.18