Sarasota's Spicy Garlic and Bacon Lima Beans
"I actually really like Lima Beans. But, I realize I'm probably in the minority. Salt, pepper and butter is all I need, but this is a great recipe for them. I try to get a few of my "picky" friends to try new vegetables now and then, and this is one of them they really liked. Just a few ingredients takes ordinary frozen vegetables and makes them a great side dish. NOTE: Some think that butter beans are the same as lima beans - and they are - well similar. Both are lima beans, but they are 2 separate varieties. The baby lima beans are the small green ones; whereas butter beans are actually Fordhook, and they are larger and buttery in color (hence the name butter beans), and they do have a stronger flavor. You can buy both frozen, canned, and dried; but difficult to find fresh. For this dish I use frozen. It makes it a quick easy dish."
photo by yogiclarebear
- Ready In:
- 25mins
- Ingredients:
- 9
- Serves:
-
6-8
ingredients
- 453.59 g bag frozen baby lima beans, thawed (the small green ones)
- 4-5 slice bacon, diced (I prefer a smoky flavor)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 9.85 ml minced garlic (you can use more or less, according to taste)
- 78.78 ml chicken broth
- 0.25 ml red pepper flakes (more or less depending on taste)
- 4.92 ml butter (you can add more if you like)
- salt
- pepper
directions
- Bacon -- In a medium sauce pan, add the bacon and begin to saute on medium heat - don't try to rush it. After the bacon begins to crisp up, drain any excess drippings from the pan. I leave just enough drippings in the pan (1/2 teaspoon), to coat the onion and garlic.
- Onion and Garlic -- Add the onion, garlic, and red pepper flakes to the pan with the bacon and saute for 2-3 minutes.
- Beans -- Finish it up. Add the broth, beans and butter and simmer uncovered (medium heat) for 5 minutes or less until the beans are warm and the broth is reduced. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve and enjoy!
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Reviews
-
This turned out so well. I can see myself preparing this for years to come. -
Used venison bacon, DH loved it. Thanks for the great dish.
RECIPE SUBMITTED BY
SarasotaCook
Sarasota, Florida
<p>Growing up in Michigan, I spent my summers at my cottage in the Northern part up by Traverscity. On a lake, big garden which had all the vegetables you could imagine. My mom taught school, so summers were our vacation time. Gramps and I fished all the time so fresh fish was always on the menu, perch, blue gill, walleye and small and large mouth bass. At age 5 I learned how to clean my own fish and by 10 I was making dinner, canning vegetables and fruits, making pies and fresh breads. Apples fresh picked every fall, strawberries in June and July, Cherries at the Cherry Festival in Traverscity. So fresh foods always were a big part. Mom worked as a teacher during the year so dinner was more traditional with pot roasts, meatloaf, etc, but it seemed we always had fresh fruits and vegetables as part of the meal. Mom also didn't use as many spices as I do, but times were different back then. <br /> <br />So ... My motto is ... There is NO Right and NO Wrong with cooking. So many people thing they have to follow a recipe. But NO ... a recipe is a method and directions to help and teach someone. Cooking is about personal tastes and flavors. I love garlic ... and another person may not. I like heat ... but you may not. Recipes are building blocks, NOT text ground in stone. Use them to make and build on. Even my recipes I don't follow most times --They are a base. That is what cooking is to me. A base of layer upon layer of flavors. <br /> <br />I still dislike using canned soups or packaged gravies/seasoning ... but I admit, I do use them. I have a few recipes that use them. But I try to strive to teach people to use fresh ingredients, they are first ... so much healthier for you ... and second, in the end less expensive. But we all have our moments including me. <br /> <br />So, lets see ... In the past, I have worked as a hostess, bartender, waitress, then a short order cook, salad girl in the kitchen, sort of assistant chef, head chef, co owner of a restaurant ... now a consultant to a catering company/restaurant, I cater myself and I'm a personal chef for a elderly lady. I work doing data entry during the day, and now and then try to have fun which is not very often due to my job(s). <br /> <br />I have a 21 year old who at times is going on 12, aren't they all. Was married and now single and just trying to enjoy life one day at a time. I'm writing a cookbook ... name is still in the works but it is dedicated to those people who never learned, to cook. Single Moms, Dads, or Just Busy Parents. Those individuals that think you can't make a great dinner for not a lot of money. You can entertain on a budget and I want people to know that gourmet tasting food doesn't have to be from a can of soup or a box, and healthy food doesn't come from a drive through. There are some really good meals that people can make which are healthy and will save money but taste amazing. So I guess that is my current goal. We all take short cuts and I have no problem with that - I do it too. I volunteer and make food for the homeless every couple of months, donating my time and money. I usually make soup for them and many times get donations from a local grocery stores, Sams Club, Walmart etc, with broth, and vegetables. It makes my cost very little and well worth every minute I spend. Like anyone, life is always trying to figure things out and do the best we can and have fun some how along the way.</p>
