New year's leftovers - crockpot hoppin' john

Ingredients

• 1 lb left over ham or 1 lb smoky bacon
• 1 medium onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon basil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cans black eyed peas (15.5 oz size) or 2 can size servings of leftover peas.
• 3 cans chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups (or cans) long grain rice (not instant rice). You can use a empty soup can to measure the rice.

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Preparation

• Brown the bacon on the stove and crumble in large pieces. Drain most of the fat off add the onion and garlic and cook until onion is clear and tender.
• Spray crock with cooking spray. Put the bacon mixture in the crockpot and add remaining ingredients. Stir well. Don't drain the black eyed peas if using canned peas.
• Cover and cook on low for 3 to 5 hours.
• Stir after an hour and and half and check liquid. If more is needed, add water 1/2 cup at a time.
• Often, it only takes 3 hours for this to be done, depending on how hot your crock pot is on low.