Hoppin’ john fritters

crispy and satisfying Hoppin’ John Fritters – a Southern classic with a twist.

tips

hoppin’ john & comeback sauce

Hoppin’ John is a Southern New Years dish meant to celebrate and bring prosperity and luck into the new year. Traditionally, its a simple and delicious black eye peas and rice dish. The peas are symbolic of pennies or coins, and sometimes the dish can be made with collard greens, which further symbolizes wealth. Comeback sauce, is just a southern condiment I grew up eating. Just a mixture of common condiments to make a nice dipping sauce.

hoppin’ john fritters

Preparation Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 20 minutes | Serving size: 12-14 fritters

Gather

hoppin’ john fritters

• 4-8 slices of bacon chopped (remove to make it vegetarian)
• 1 cup, cooked black-eyed peas
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 medium onion, grated 
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons pepper
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ cup cilantro, chopped fine
• 1 egg 
• 2 cups high-heat vegetable frying oil, maybe more depending on size of pot (peanut, canola, etc.)

comeback sauce (optional)

• 1 cup mayo
• 4 tablespoons of ketchup
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 2 tablespoons cajun seasoning
• 1 tablespoon garlic powders

Follow

hoppin’ john fritters

1. Place diced bacon In a cold pan (yes, cold). Heat to a medium-low until it begins to sweat, then increase to medium. Cook for 10- 15 minutes. (Not all pieces need to be crispy.) Set aside on a paper towel. Work on the fritter dough in the meantime 
2. In a large bowl, add black-eyed peas, rice, garlic, onion and mash until about half of them are broken. If you have an immersion blender you can use it here. Mix in egg.  (note: you can use your food processor, by added all ingredients and pulsing)
3. Finely chop bacon and add it to the pea mixture.
4. In a small bowl, add baking powder, corn starch, salt, pepper, cumin and paprika, and combine. Add seasoning mixture to pea mixture. Add cilantro. Use hands or rubber spatula to combine. 
5. Heat frying oil to 375 degrees in a Dutch oven or deep fryer. (If using a deep fryer, fill as specified). You should have at least 2 inches of oil in your dutch oven.  Scoop fritter dough (about 2 tablespoons) and place into the fryer. (An ice cream scoop or soup spoon will help you dollop the fritter dough into the hot oil.) Repeat until you have a few in the oil; be sure not to overcrowd. 
6. Cook for 3-5 minutes until deep brown. Turn them at least once while frying. Remove from oil and place on a sheet with paper towels. Repeat until all fritter dough has been used.

comeback sauce (optional)

1. in a bowl mix all ingredients together. Set aside until ready to use.