Hopping John

1 pound of black eyed peas
2 quarts of boiling water
1 chopped onion
1 pound of lean salt pork or bacon, diced
salt and pepper to taste
crushed red peppers
1 cup of rice, cooked, separately  

Instructions:

Wash the black eyed peas, soak them overnight in cold water. Drain well. Place the peas in a large pot, add the boiling water, onion, salt pork/bacon and seasonings. Simmer, covered for about 2 hours or until the peas are very soft, adding water as needed. Taste and correct the seasonings. Cook the rice per the instructions on the package. Add the cooked rice to the cooked peas in the pot. Simmer gently until all of the liquid is absorbed.  Serves 8