Saturday, April 16, 2011

Easy Baby Lima Beans

Kid Rating:  2 out of 3 will eat them
Do Again:  Sure

{8-31-12 Update:  I really like this other recipe (click here) but I haven't tried it on frozen Lima beans, yet.}


I tried lima beans once as a kid.  Once.  Then never again until today.  I based the recipe from allrecipes.com.  I would describe them as mashed potatoes in a bean.


In 1/2 cup serving, you get 5 g fiber, 6 g protein, 15% needed Vit.C, 8% needed iron, and 4% needed calcium.


Ingredients:
1 pound bag frozen baby lima beans, rinse
1-2 tsp butter (optional)
1/2 cup chopped onions
1 1/2 cups of water*
1 1/2 tsp Better Than Bouillon* (chicken)


*sub with broth if you have it










Directions:
Melt butter in sauce pan (or use cooking spray, a different oil, or water)
Saute onions a few minutes until they begin to brown/soften




Add the water and bouillon (or broth).  Bring to a boil.           Add lima beans (and more water to just cover them if needed -- I didn't need to).                   Return to boil.                    Reduce heat to LOW.  Cover.  Simmer 30 min.



Family Review
11 y.o. -- He'll eat them (but probably not request them)
10 y.o. -- Seemed to like them.
5 y.o. -- Nope.
Hubby -- Favorable towards them.
Me -- Nice flavor.  Smooth and creamy.  The texture caught me off guard, but once I likened them to mashed potatoes, I was fine with these nutrient-packed beans.  I'll make them again to have a variety.

Cooking less my help.

The package listed 240 mg of sodium (ingredients:  beans and salt), and the bouillon also has sodium.  I didn't need to add more salt to the recipe.  If you grow your own beans, a little salt may be desired.