SOUTHERN CUISINE HAS A REPUTATION for being unhealthy. While it is true that Southerners love fried food (who doesn't) one point that is often overlooked is that Southerners love vegetables. Sure, your Southern Grandmother may have put a ham hock in with the pot of beans, but that was often the only meat on the table.
Poor butterbeans (or lima beans) are one of the most maligned vegetables and one of my favorites. I recently made these beans as a side dish with our dinner. For lunch the next day, I split a slice of cornbread and heaped these butterbeans over it. Even better. As you can see from the photos, I like a lot of black pepper on my butterbeans.
Home-Style Butterbeans
5 slices bacon, diced
1 onion, minced
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 (16 oz.) package frozen butterbeans (may substitute baby lima beans)
1/4 cup butter
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
12 cups water
Cook bacon and onion in a large Dutch oven over medium heat 5 to 7 minutes. Add brown sugar, and cook, stirring occasionally, 1 to 2 minutes or until sugar is dissolved. Sitr in butterbeans and butter until butter is melted and beans are thoroughly coated. Stir in 12 cups water.
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 2 hours or until beans are very tender and liquid is thickened and just below top of beans. Stir in salt and pepper.
I never like the little green lima beasn so often found in the frozen mixed vegetables of my youth, but butter beans are so good. I even like the little dried white lima beans. These look delicious!
ReplyDeleteMelynda, I think you know I love all beans. I love the baby limas, fordhook limas, those giant white limas, as well as the butterbeans. I have made this recipe a million times over the years and everyone in the family loves it. Thank you for your comment. --Rocquie
DeleteI don't often cook butterbeans. I don't know why, because they're wonderful. Just not in the habit, I guess. But it's a habit I should get into! Particularly with this recipe -- really good. And cornbread is the perfect thing to pair with butterbeans. Thanks for this.
ReplyDeleteJohn, I like that this particular recipe uses the convenience of frozen butterbeans. They are very delicious served with ham or pork chops, along with sweet potatoes. Very Southern.
DeleteThank you for your comment. --Rocquie