Beefy Hoppin' John - Hopping John

Ingredients

• 2 lbs beef round steak, cut into 3/4-inch strips
• 2 tablespoons lard or oil
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon savory
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup rice
• 3/4 cup celery, thinly sliced
• 1 onion, peeled and chopped

• 1 (15 ounce) can black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed

• 1 (15 ounce) can tomatoes, undrained

Directions

1. 1

   Brown beef strips in lard or oil; sprinkle with next three ingredients.

2. 2

   Add 1 1/2 cups water; cover tightly and cook slowly 30 minutes.

3. 3

   Remove meat and set aside; add rice, celery and onion to pan liquid.

4. 4

   Return meat to pan and add peas and tomatoes.

5. 5

   Cover tightly and continue cooking slowly until rice and meat are done, adding additional water if needed to prevent scorching, about 45 minutes.