Hoppin' John

In our small town, we are blessed with one of the best pharmacists!  She is always looking for ways to save my family money on prescriptions, since we have always had a high deductible insurance.  They also have the cutest gift shop where you can find some of the best wedding and baby gifts as well and a selection of seasonal items.  If you are ever traveling Highway 75 through Neodesha, I highly recommend a stop to check out the gift selection.  They carry some great items to keep kids of all ages busy that I have used during meeting season with my kids. I highly recommend the Porter Drugs Facebook Page for timely information or just health information in general. 

If you stop at the right time in the morning, you can grab a cup of coffee or a coke in the back of the store and catch up on all the news in town. 

Just a quick tidbit about the store's history. The building was originally a theater which had the red arrows pointing toward the door.  A few years back the sidewalk had to be replaced and Paula had the arrows replaced. Not with a regular sidewalk but she paid to have the arrows put back in!  The community loved that she kept the name of the owner before her for the store when she purchased the store as well.  :)

Hoppin' John

1 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons butter
1 pound of cooked ham
1 can black eyed peas, well rinsed and drained or small box of steamed black eyed peas 
                from the produce aisle
1 can diced tomatoes and green chilies
3 cups cooked rice

Cook rice according to package or use Paula's suggestion of using leftover beef broth for most of the water and don't add any salt or butter/oil.

Saute chopped onion in the butter.  After about two minutes, add in the ham pieces and continue to saute on medium/high heat for another five minutes.  Lower heat to medium and add black eyed peas and Ro-tel.  Simmer together for five minutes or until rice is done.