My new spot for dropping off food has a tent which serves as a community center for the people living in their RV’s nearby. It’s obviously an open air drug market too but I’m fine with that because I believe drugs should be legal.

Today’s gift box of comfort food contained eleven 8 oz. oyster pails of Hoppin’ John, two bags of yogurt pretzels, three pounds of butterflied fried prawns, six 2 oz. ramekins of cocktail sauce and utensils.

It was pouring down rain during this delivery and the people under the tent did not seem dry.

Nirvana Wok Hoppin’ John

Soak one pound of black-eyed peas overnight. Cook until al dente. Add one pound cooked bacon, two large onions cooked in butter, one raw red pepper, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, dried dill, fresh ground pepper and vinegar. For the vinegar this time I used brine from a recent batch of refrigerator pickles.

Makes thirteen 8 oz. servings. Budget: $12

–Alex