HOPPIN' FOR GOOD LUCK
This hearty dish is made easier by starting with canned peas and using brown quick-cooking rice that comes in a bag. I doubt good luck will be diminished if we don't cook the peas and rice from scratch.
You can serve this as part of a New Year's dinner, for brunch on New Year's Day or for a snack while watching football games.
Chopped onions and bell peppers can be purchased ready to cook, further simplifying the preparation. Use small ramekins to mold the cooked rice for reheating in a microwave.
Makes 6 servings.- 1 cup chopped red onion
- 1 cup chopped red, yellow and green bell peppers
- ¼ pound mild or spicy bulk pork sausage
- ¼ cup diced green chiles
- 2 (15-ounce) cans black-eyed peas
- ½ cup chicken or beef broth
- 1 bag brown Minute Rice
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Coat a large saucepan with cooking oil spray and place over medium-high heat.
Add the onion, peppers and sausage and sauté, stirring to break up the sausage, until the sausage is cooked, about 3 to 4 minutes.
Add the green chiles, peas (including liquid) and the chicken or beef broth.
Bring to a simmer and simmer for 2 minutes. Set aside and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Cook the brown rice according to package directions in boiling water. Drain,
remove from the bag and stir in butter, salt and pepper to taste while the rice is still hot. When cool, pack into buttered 3- to 4-ounce ramekins.
When ready to serve, reheat the peas in a pan over medium-high heat. Place ramekins in the microwave and reheat to warm, about 4 minutes. Unmold rice by placing the serving dish on top of the ramekin, then inverting to unmold. Surround the rice with the warm peas and garnish with a sprig of parsley or cilantro.