Hoppin' John w/Collards

A multi-recipe mashup that is a real keeper.

Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large ham hock (or just shredded ham)
1 cup onion, chopped
1/2 cup celery, chopped
1 bunch collards, tough stems removed, and sliced into 1 inch strips.
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1 pound black-eyed peas, soaked overnight and rinsed
1 quart chicken stock
Bay leaf
1 teaspoon dry thyme leaves
Salt, black pepper, and cayenne
3 tablespoons finely chopped green onion
3 cups steamed white rice

Directions
Heat oil in a large soup pot, add the ham hock and sear on all sides for 4 minutes. Add the onion, celery,  and garlic, cook for 4 minutes. Add the collards, black-eyed peas, stock, bay leaves, thyme, and seasonings. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 40 minutes, or until the peas are creamy and tender, stir occasionally. If the liquid evaporates, add more water or stock. Adjust seasonings, and garnish with green onions. Serve over rice.

Shrimp Roasted with Potatoes and Prosciutto

Another DRI classic.  Easy, tasty, foolproof, tasty.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds yellow or red-skinned potatoes, cut into 1/2 inch dice
4 Tbs. Olive Oil
1/2 tsp. Kosher salt
1/4 tsp Cayenne
1 pound large shrimp (21-25 count, easy peel, or peel and devein)
1 tsp finely grated lemon zest.
Ground Pepper.
1/4 pound thinly sliced prosciutto, cut into 1/4 inch wide strips
2 large cloves garlic, chopped
1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley

Position rack in lower third of overn, and put heavy-duty rimmed baking pan on the rack (thanks Grandma) and heat oven to 500.
In medium bowl, toss potatoes with 3Tbs Olive Oil, salt and cayenne, carefully spread on hot baking pan.  Roast for 20-25 minutes, turning half way until tender and golden.
Meanwhile, pat dry shrimp and toss in bowl w/1 Tbs. olive oil, lemon zest, pinch of salt, grindings of pepper.
Stir in prosciutto and garlic into mostly completely roasted potatoes and roast 5 minutes more.
Push potatoes to one half of the baking pan, and spread out shrimp on the other half in single layer.  Roast another 5 min until shrimp are cooked through.  Sprinkle with parsley, mix together and serve over/alongside of mixed greens (our new thing).