Hoppin’ John

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup long grain rice
• 2 tablespoons grapeseed, avocado or other cooking oil
• 1 onion, chopped 
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 2 (15 ounce) cans black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15 ounce) can of tomatoes ( 2 cups of diced fresh tomatoes), optional
• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon. smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions 

1. Bring broth and rice to a boil in a saucepan.
2. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender and liquid has been absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes.
3. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium-high heat. 
4. Sauté onion in hot oil until translucent, 5 to 7 minutes.
5. Add bell pepper and garlic and cook for 1 minute.
6. Stir rice, black-eyed peas, tomatoes if using and seasonings into onion, cover the pot with a lid, and cook until flavors blend, about 10 minutes.