Start by rendering bacon in a Dutch oven over medium heat until it's crispy. Drain some fat, leaving enough for flavor.
Add chopped green onions, celery, and bell pepper. Sauté until softened, scraping up those flavorful bits stuck to the bottom.
Now, add rice, letting it absorb concentrated flavors. Stir for a couple of minutes.
Pour in 2 cups of chicken stock, enhancing the dish with a square area's worth of flavor using your trusty wooden spoon.
Introduce seasonings – cayenne, basil, thyme, oregano. Stir and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
Drop in a bay leaf, then simmer for an additional 10 minutes. Let those layers of flavor meld.
Add Black-Eyed Peas and the bacon you set aside earlier. Mix it up and let it simmer for another 10 minutes.
Grab a bowl and savor this masterpiece. If you didn't know about Hoppin' Johns, welcome to the club!