Dig Into This “Good Luck” Stew For 2026!
Do you know what “Hoppin’ John” is? Well I didn’t for years, but thanks to my wife Alex, I learned that it’s a longtime tradition: you are supposed to make it on New Year’s Day, and it will help ensure you have good luck in the year ahead!
The first written “receipt” for Hoppin’ John appeared in “The Carolina Housewife” (1847), and was written by Charlestonian Sarah Rutledge. The simple recipe called for one pound of bacon, one pint of peas and one pint of rice cooked in a single pot.
Well, I’ve made it on New Year’s Day every year since, so let’s get cooking!
Here are the ingredients:
2 tbl. butter or olive oil – I use both!
1 Onion
4 cloves garlic
1 cup of diced carrots
1 red bell pepper, diced – this time I used 3 mini-bell peppers
2 celery stalks, diced
1 can black eyed peas
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth, plus more as needed
6 oz. Bacon – or use Canadian bacon or a ham hock if you can find one!
Salt and pepper, to taste
Cayenne pepper, to taste – note: I don’t add this but it’s traditional
1 chopped tomato – this time I didn’t have one
3 green onions, dicing the white into the soup and using the green as garnish
White or brown rice, to serve underneath or in – your choice!
Here is my recipe:
It all begins with the bacon, which I diced and cooked in my soup pot – yes, it smelled as good as it looks!
After making your kitchen smell heavenly, remove the bacon and keep the fat, then return the pot to medium heat and add the onion, garlic, red bell pepper, and carrot, and cook for 5 minutes.
Add the bacon back in along with the black eyed peas, the chopped tomato, chicken broth, Canadian bacon or ham as well as salt and pepper to taste.
Here’s a look at how I did it:
Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes. then, make some rice on the side and put it in a bowl, then cover with the soup and add diced green onions to the top and you are ready to serve!
Here’s how it all came together:
I love this soup: the bacon flavor permeates the dish, while the rice gives it a nice creaminess and the raw green onions on top add a nice pop to each bite…add some crusty bread on the side and you are making good luck for 2026!
All of the different colors give the dish a nice look as well!
I have reported on “good luck” food before, prompted by a book I read about fortune cookies!
“Good luck food” is nothing new – in fact, there are “prosperity burgers” that people buy in Asia and “solid gold sushi” as well!
Click here to see that story!
I have shared my affinity for soups and stews, and here is one of my favorites:
I love squid stew, and if you try my recipe you will too!
Click here to see how easy and fun it is to make:
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If you enjoy this recipe, please share on social media – thanks, and here’s to a happy, healthy and delicious 2026!
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Happy New Year, John!
Thank you! Happy new year to you – here’s to some fun adventures in 2026!
That sounds fun to me!