Southern Plantation Lima Beans Recipes

SOUTHERN LIMA BEANS WITH RICE

Steps:

• I know the bag says to soak the beans overnight, but you really don't have to.
• Wash the beans, and then put them in a large pot. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Boil for 3 to 5 minutes, then turn off the heat, cover and let it sit for 1 hour.
• After the beans have sat, drain the water and sit the beans to the side.
• Add the oil to the pot and sauté the ham hocks and onions together, until onion is clear and tender, add garlic and sauté about 2 minutes more. Add the beans and cover with water.
• Add pepper and salt--only about 1 teaspoon of salt at first.
• Bring to a boil; stir, reduce heat and cover and simmer for about 2 hours.
• Keep checking the water level and stirring every once in a while. Add more water if needed, but not too much.
• Just enough to keep about 1 inch of water above the beans as they cook.
• Cook until beans are tender, adding more salt if needed. The water will turn into a wonderful gravy. Serve over rice.

SOUTHERN STYLE LIMA BEANS

Steps:

• Simmer beans in one to two quarts of water for 30 minutes, either in the crockpot on "high" heat or in another pot over the stove. The beans will have swelled and softened slightly.
• Drain and put them into the crockpot.
• Add remaining ingredients.
• Cook four to eight hours on "auto-shift" or "low" heat.
• At some point, remove the ham hocks and separate the bones and fat from the bits of meat, cutting up the meat to return to crockpot.
• When done, this dish should resemble a stew with a thick broth. The beans should be soft, but not quite falling apart. If you cook it too long, it will be tasty but will resemble split pea soup.
• Serve with biscuits or cornbread.