Hoppin' John Recipe: Southern Comfort for Good Luck!

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450g) dried black-eyed peas, rinsed
• 8 cups (1.9 liters) water or chicken broth
• 1 large onion, chopped (approx. 1 cup or 150g)
• 2 carrots, chopped (approx. ½ cup or 75g)
• 2 celery stalks, chopped (approx. ½ cup or 75g)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 smoked ham hock (approx. 1 pound/450g) or 6 oz (170g) smoked bacon, diced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a bit of kick)
• Salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cups (400g) long-grain rice, rinsed
• 4 cups (950ml) water or chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (14g)
• Salt to taste