New Year'S Hoppin' John Soup

• 1 pound black eyed peas dried
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 onion large, chopped
• 4 celery ribs chopped
• 2 large carrots chopped
• 6 garlic cloves crushed
• 1 jalapeno pepper large, finely chopped with seeds removed
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes dried
• 1 bay leaf
• 10 cups liquid chicken broth, water, or a combination
• 2 ham hocks large
• 1 pound collard greens thinly sliced, 5 to 6 cups
• 1 cup diced ham finely, from ham bone or a ham steak
• 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 6 cups long grain white rice cooked
• 5 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes or Rotel diced tom
• vinegar Additional, for passing

1. Soak the beans overnight in cold water to cover.
2. Drain in colander.
3. In a large saucepan or soup pot, heat the oil.
4. Add the onion, celery and carrot.
5. Cook over medium heat until onion begins to soften, about 5 minutes.
6. Add the garlic, jalapeno, thyme, pepper flakes and bay leaf.
7. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
8. Add the beans, liquid and ham hocks and bring to a boil.
9. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered.
10. Simmer until beans are verging on tender, about 1 hour.
11. Add the collards and continue to cook, covered.
12. Cook until beans and collards are very tender, 50 to 60 minutes.
13. Stir in the ham, season with salt and pepper.

vegetable oil, onion, celery, carrots, garlic, pepper, thyme, red pepper, bay leaf, chicken broth, ham hocks large, ham finely, salt, freshly ground black pepper, cider vinegar, long grain white rice, tomatoes, vinegar

Taken from www.yummly.com/recipe/New-Year_s-Hoppin_-John-Soup-1665182 (may not work)