Butter beans?

[Galileo126]

Folks - I was given two cans of butter beans (large limas) today. Sure, they are canned, but I figure I can do something with them as a side dish.

Classic southern style is to use bacon/ham hock, with some onion/shallot, and some spices. This is probably the route I'll go tonight (to go along with my blackened catfish!), but since I'll have another can left over, got any good ideas?

(Doesn't have to involve meat, mind you. I'm an omnivore, which means I eat everything, including my veggies.)

Thanks ahead for your ideas!

-gali

[Warpy]

1. Try Brunswick Stew

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Brunswick-Stew-241201

Or do succotash as a side dish: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/succotash-recipe/index.html

[Galileo126]

2. Hmmm...rabbit

Considering I have 14 wild rabbits in my backyard...(no no no! Must not eat backyard critters who outwit the coyotes. They deserve tomorrow.)



The Brunswick stew with the chicken sounds good. As for succotash, I'm from Rhode Island. That's a childhood yummy that goes back some 45 yrs when we made it in kindergarten (learning about the native folks pre-1620). That's an ol' fave.

Thanks, Warpy!

[enough]

3. Take one of those cans, drain and set aside.

In olive oil, saute fresh garlic (as much as possible), onions, another fresh something if available. Or canned mushrooms well drained. Have some fresh herbs? A few diced end-of season tomatoes? Or whatever looks good to you.

When the saute is pretty well done and plenty hot, add the well-drained butter beans, saute up quickly (just enough to heat and coat).

Add to some linguine or favorite pasta, serve quickly with some grated cheese.


Next week, do the same with the second can, and it will be completely different and delicious also.

[Galileo126]

4. That sounds good!

I do enjoy veggies w/ pasta, particularly with grilled veggies. But, as I'm fond of saying..."One can never have enough garlic."

Tomatoes, mushrooms, herbs... cool. I was just a little unsure about "canned" veggies , other than add 'em at the end so they don't turn to mush. (I try to avoid the canned stuff, but like a good Italian... I don't waste food, especially when someone gives it to me.)

Another cool suggestion! Grazie!

-g

[grasswire]

5. I use them in a three-bean chili.

I know that drives chili purists nuts. But a chili made with black beans, black eye peas, and butter beans is great. Don't forget to add a handful of cornmeal or masa toward the end, to thicken the broth.

[pinto]

6. I'd go with the succotash mentioned or a cold bean, corn, red onion, green leaf salad.

From New England as well. Tossing them in the skillet with bacon 'n eggs was pretty common.

[pinto]

7. Oh, and mashed w/ salt, pepper and butter as a side.