SOUTHERN BUTTER BEANS, MILLIE'S

Southern Butter Beans, Millie's image

Provided by Millie Johnson

Time 1h50m

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 lb dry butter beans (the big white ones)
2-3 slice smoked bacon
1/2 onion,diced (or 1 small one)
water, 3 inches above beans
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper

Steps:

1. Sort beans; remove bad ones,rocks or other foreign materials.
2. Put in colander and wash under running water. Set aside.
3. Dice half an onion and set aside.
4. Dice raw bacon. Fry in large pot til crispy. Remove from pot and set aside. Leave drippings in pot. (You can save bacon bits for a salad or put back in pot after you bring to second boil.)
5. Add diced onion to pot and saute til translucent.
6. Add some water to deglaze pot then add beans and cover with water. (about 3-4 inches ABOVE beans.)Add salt and pepper. Bring to a boil then cover and turn heat OFF for 45 minutes. Return to a boil,(add the fried bacon bits if desired) reduce heat to med. low and cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until beans are tender.Keep a check on beans as you may need to add more water.Stir now and then.(taste a bean after 1 hour of cooking. You do not want to over cook). Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed.