Skip to main content
Epicurious
Cookbooks

Hoppin’ John Cakes

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes 6 to 8 cakes

Ingredients

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Place 2 cups of the cold, leftover Hoppin’ John in a bowl and mash slightly with a potato masher. Add 1 large egg, lightly beaten, 1/4 cup fresh bread crumbs (see Know-how, page 134) and 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour. Stir to combine, then form the mixture into small cakes, about 2 inches round. Place 1/4 cup additional fresh bread crumbs in a small low bowl and season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Dip each cake into the bread crumbs, pressing the cakes into the bread crumbs so that they adhere on both sides. Refrigerate the cakes until firm, about 1 hour.

    Step 2

    Heat enough oil to cover the bottom of the skillet over medium-high heat until sizzling hot (see Know-how, page 100). Sauté the cakes until golden brown and heated through, about 3 minutes per side, turning only once. Serve warm topped with a poached egg or a handful of mixed greens and Heirloom Tomato Salsa (page 102).

Reprinted with permission from Sara Foster's Southern Kitchen: Soulful, Traditional, Seasonal by Sara Foster. Copyright © 2011 by Sara Foster. Published by Random House. All Rights Reserved. Sara Foster is the owner of Foster's Market, the acclaimed gourmet take-out store/cafés in Durham and Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and the author of several cookbooks including The Foster's Market Cookbook, winner of the Best Cookbook Award from the Southeast Booksellers Association. She has appeared numerous times on Martha Stewart Living Television and NBC's Today show. She has also been featured in magazines such as More, House Beautiful, and Southern Living, and is featured regularly in Bon Appétit.
TagsSouthernAmericanBlack-Eyed PeaBean and LegumeVegetableHamMeatRiceRice & GrainsStarterSideDinnerDairy FreeNut FreeSauteNew YearsCookbooks
Read More
The Most-Saved Recipes in the Epicurious App This Week
Like a cucumber-cilantro chutney sandwich and scallop piccata.
31 Easter Desserts, Each One Better Than a Chocolate Egg
Like airy lemon chiffon cake and a Cadbury egg–inspired tart.
Tandoori-Style Roasted Cauliflower
Dressed in a spiced yogurt, with ginger and garlic, then roasted until caramelized and tender.
The Only Frittata Recipe You’ll Ever Need
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Caramelized Onion Pasta
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
31 Spring Cocktails for Warmer Days Ahead
Think a Hugo spritz, a gin basil smash, and plenty more patio-ready pours.
Apple-Walnut Charoset
A warmly spiced Ashkenazi charoset, perfect for your Passover seder—or spooned over yogurt the next morning.
Hot Honey–Glazed Salmon
This broiled hot honey salmon recipe results in sweet, spicy, glossy fish coated in a homemade hot honey glaze for an easy weeknight dinner or make-ahead lunch.