Hoppin into 2012

Hoppin John Patties

This year, I wanted to try something different with one of my family’s traditional southern recipes for black eye peas and rice. So we created Hoppin Johns Patties.

Hoppin Johns- is a traditional dish for good luck served for New Year derived from an African American southern dish consisting of black eye peas and rice cooked with pork or turkey, spices and vegetables.

Black eye peas are high in fiber, protein, potassium and other minerals. When combined with brown rice and vegetables the creation process unfolds. Check out my recipe and let me know what you think.

Hoppin John Patties by Meal Makers, Inc.

Hoppin John Patties                                          
Makes 8 patties      

Ingredients                                      

8 ounces Mushrooms, cleaned and sliced

½ cup Onions, medium diced

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 teaspoon ginger, minced

1 cubano pepper, small diced

1 Tablespoon Olive oil

½ teaspoon smoked paprika

½ teaspoon thyme leaves

½ teaspoon oregano

½ teaspoon allspice

1 teaspoon cumin

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Hoppin John Pattie with Mustard Greens

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

2 cups brown rice, cooked

1(15 oz) can Black eye peas drained and rinsed

1-2 Tablespoon Canola oil

Instructions

1.       Prep vegetables and gather ingredients.

2.       In a skillet over medium heat, add oil onions, ginger and garlic. Let cook stirring occasionally a few minutes then add mushroom. Continue to cook several minutes then add peppers. Cook vegetables until soft.  Add spice and seasonings to the pan and let cook 1 or 2 minutes longer.

3.       Place the Mushroom mixture in a food processer and then pulse several times until smooth. Add the mushroom mixture to the black eye peas and rice. And mix well to blend. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

4.       Add Mushroom mixture to a large bowl with black eye peas. Using a potato masher mash peas and mushroom mixture together three or four times. Leaving half of the peas un-mashed. Fold rice into the mixture with a spatula.

5.       Divide mixture and form into 8 equal size balls and roll into patties. Place on a wax paper line tray and refrigerate for 30 – 60 minutes.

6.       Heat a non-stick skillet with a little oil over medium flame. Add patties to the pan and brown on each side.

Serve hot with your favorite vegetables.

Here are some other interesting versions of Hoppin John

Hoppin' John Cassoulet

Hoppin' John

Top 10 Ways Not to Burn Thanksgiving Dinner

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, cooking fire incidents spike during Thanksgiving and Christmas time. But it's not just fires. Trips and falls, along with cuts and burns incidents are also high many of which occur while people are preparing their meals.

Thanksgiving can be a whirlwind of cooking and entertaining guests.  To make sure no one gets hurt, Fire administration officials recommend:

·         Stand by your pan, when cooking. Never leave food, grease or oils cooking on the stovetop unattended. Pay attention!

·         When simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while it’s cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.

·         Wear short or tight-fitting sleeves when cooking, because loose fitting clothing can easily catch on fire.

·         Keep potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, towels, and other things that can catch fire, away from your stovetop.

·         Plug microwave ovens and other cooking appliances directly into an outlet, not an extension cord.

·         Keep children three feet away from the stove.

·         Test fire alarms before a gathering to make sure they are working.

What to do if you have a fire

• If it’s a small grease fire and you have an oven mitt and lid nearby, smother the flames in the pan by sliding the lid over it. Turn off the burner, and don’t move the pan. Leave the lid on the pan until it has cooled.
• For an oven fire, turn the heat off and keep the door closed to prevent flames from burning you or your clothes.
• For a microwave oven fire, turn it off immediately, keep the door closed and unplug the appliance if you can reach it safely. Keep the door closed until the fire is out.
• If your clothing catches fire, Stop, Drop and Roll to put out the flames.
• When in doubt, get out, is what the U.S. Fire Administration advises for any fire in the kitchen. If you leave, close the door behind you and call 911. If you decide to stay and fight the fire, make sure others are already out and you have a clear exit path.

One of the larger contributors to Thanksgiving fires in recent years is the increasing popularity of deep-frying turkeys, which uses grease that can become flammable. If you're planning to deep-fry your holiday bird, watch this video to see a first-hand demonstration of what can happen if you don't follow all instructions

Safety around turkey fryers

Before you use a turkey fryer, make sure to read instructions. Many accidents involving turkey fryers are from first-time users.

• Make sure to use a turkey fryer outside and at a safe distance from buildings or any other combustible material. Also, don’t use a turkey fryer in a garage or on a wooden deck. Be sure it is on a flat surface.
• Don’t leave the fryer unattended. Most units don’t have thermostat controls, so if you don’t watch it the oil could continue to heat until it catches on fire.
• To keep oil from spilling over, which can cause fires if the oil hits the burner, never overfill the fryer. Be sure the turkey or Chicken is completely thawed and be cautious of marinades. Water can cause the oil to spill over.
• Never use water to put out a grease fire. Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby.

·          Keep children or pets away from the fryer even if it is not in use. The oil inside the cooking pot can remain dangerously hot hours after use.

If a fire starts and has been extinguished, call 9-1-1 anyway and have firefighters make sure it is out.

During this Thanksgiving weekend we wish you a safe and joyous holiday!

Slide show of Meals Prepared and Catering