How should I cook the rice for Hoppin' John?

I only have one kind of rice at home, so it’s going to be long grain white, but I’m wondering if I should cook it sticky (hard boil to bust the outer shell and make the rice stick to its neighbors) or fluffy (saute in oil, keep the heat low to steam it) or some other way.

I’ve never actually *had *Hoppin’ John, but was asked to make it for a party tonight. The peas part is done and came out quite well, but I can’t figure out what style of rice would be best with it.