Tasty "Hoppin' John" recipe
This one comes from the "46 Healthy Soul Food Recipes" Cookbook, which was produced with help from the American Heart and American Stroke Associations, to help "satisfy your love for soul food, without sacrificing your health," according to the back of the cookbook. The cookbook has many good recipes for healthy soul food, but this is my favorite.
Note to readers: Do not, I repeat, do not go overboard with the jalapenos if you do not like spicy foods. The longer this cooks, the spicer it gets.
On my first attempt at this recipe, I burned away my tongue and much of my throat and stomach by using WAAAAY too many jalapenos slices. However, it has healed nicely, and I can almost taste and digest food again. Also, my cats are also no longer in therapy to deal with the trauma from watching me run through our home screaming with flames shooting out of my mouth.
Seriously, though, be careful. Using more peppers than listed made this dish hot enough to bring tears to my eyes (and cause some serious heartburn).
Here's the healthy recipe (with the right amount of peppers):
Hoppin' John
Items needed:
1/2 cup of uncooked instant brown or white rice
1 teaspoon of canola or corn oil
3 oz. of low-fat smoked turkey sausage (quartered and cut into small pieces)
1/2 cup of red bell pepper, finely chopped
1/4 cup of onions (optional)
1/4 cup of green peppers (optional)
1 medium jalapeno, finely chopped
1 15-ounce can of no-salt added black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup of water
1/4 teaspoon of salt
Mrs. Dash original flavor seasoning to taste (optional)
Cooking Instructions:
1. Prepare rice using box instructions. Set aside.
2. In a medium, non-stick skillet, heat the oil over medium heat, swirling to coat the bottom. Cook sausage for three minutes or until richly browned, stirring frequently.
3. Add red peppers, onions, green peppers and jalapeno, cook for 1 minute
4. Stir in peas, water and salt, cook for 2 minutes, or until the mixture is slightly thickened but some liquid remains.
5. Remove from heat, let stand covered for five minutes so the flavors can blend
6. Stir in the rice, transfer to a serving bowl and enjoy.
Do you have any tasty, healthy recipes to share? If so, post them in the comments section.
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