~ CREAMY LIMA BEANS ~

~ Creamy Lima Beans ~ image

Provided by Cassie *

Time 1h35m

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 lb dry - large lima beans
6 - 8 c water
1 Tbsp oil
1/2 lb cooked smoked ham, cubed
3 medium stalks celery, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
4 - 5 clove garlic, minced
pinch dried thyme
1 1/2 Tbsp better than buillon ( chicken ) soup base
1 bay leaf
salt & pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Place 8 cups water in a dutch oven and bring to a boil. Once boiling add the bean, and boil for 5 minutes. Turn off burner, cover pot and let sit for 1 hour.
2. Drain and rinse beans.
3. In a med skillet over medium heat add the oil, onion, garlic, celery and ham. Saute until vegetables become tender, about 5 minutes.
4. Place beans back into dutch oven and cover with 6 cups water, making sure all beans are covered. Add the vegetable mixture and thyme. Stir and bring to a boil. Boil for 30 minutes, then lower heat, add bay leaf and simmer until beans are to desired tenderness Add more water as they cook if need be. We like ours thick, not like soup, but want some juice to serve over the potatoes Salt and pepper to taste.
5. In total mine were cooked in 1 1/2 hours after the initial soaking. They are delicious served with fried potatoes and onion, fried in bacon fat. This is exactly how my Gram would serve them.