I have made this recipe for the last decade. It is a good standard Hoppin' John recipe. Thick cut bacon can be used for the salt pork, but if bacon is used the salt can be cut back.

I did not have any salt pork nor a hock, so I added some left over spiral cut smoked ham. It turned out great! Cooking the rice seperately is a great idea too. The dish is less like soup. Why have I not thought of this? We had this on New Year's day (still waiting on the good financial luck). Having it again today.

I liked this recipe but the pork salt had a lot of fat on it and was not good. I also didnt like the hammocks because of the skin. It was good but I would only make it with the ham if i were to make it again.