Ask the Dean is a weekly column by MTU’s Dean of Students, Dr. Wallace Southerland III, where students can submit questions for him to answer. To submit a question, email lodesubmit@mtu.edu
“Do you have a favorite recipe you would be willing to share?”
Reluctantly, I’ll share a recipe for my famous “Hoppin’ John” which is often a hit at potlucks, parties, and family events. Hoppin’ John is a delicious southern-inspired cultural dish that can be made a few ways. Just google the dish and you’ll see what I mean. My recipe is not written down (until now!) and is not made like what you’ll see online. I just know it, do it, and enjoy it. Here goes:
- Soak 1lb of black-eyed peas for about 6-8 hours or overnight then rinse. Put in a big ol’ pot. I prefer a crock pot so it can slow cook all day or overnight.
- Put a giant smoked turkey drumstick (or pieces) in the pot with the peas and cover with a lot of water (maybe 6-8 cups) which creates a delicious broth.
- Slow cook on “low” overnight so your soul smells the aroma through the night or cook while at work or out for the day. Then, after it’s all done:
- Optional: Pull that turkey off the bone and mix that meat into the pot. Watch the thin bones.
- Optional: Cook a 1lb of spicy ground sausage (my choice!) or turkey – remove the oil.
- Chop about 1 white onion.
- Chop 1 green pepper.
- Chop 2-3 stalks of celery.
- Use 2-3 heaping tablespoons of minced garlic or use a little fresh garlic.
- Sautee’ items 6-9 until the aroma makes you salivate. Do not overcook. Mix all of it in pan with item 5 for that extra aroma and seasoning. Now dump that into the black-eyed peas and mix well. Smell.
- Optional: Add a few splashes of hot sauce.
- Optional: Add cooked Kale or cook the Kale with the peas.
- Optional: Skip the meat and use shrimp or crab or tilapia or all three. I call this my “Eastern Shore Hoppin’ John.” If you do this, add Old Bay seasoning to taste.
I prefer juicy texture but not soupy. Add over rice or mash potatoes or cornbread. HuskyUP and enjoy. I’ll let y’all know the next time I make some because winter is coming.
Dr. S.
HuskyUP. All day. Everyday.
Awoooo!
