Best Butter Beans With Country Ham Recipes

SOUTHERN LIMA BEANS WITH HAM

Steps:

• Rinse and sort the beans. Set aside.
• In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and celery; cook, stirring frequently, until soft, about 5-8 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute, stirring constantly.
• Add the rinsed beans, ham hock, bay leaf, water, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce heat slightly just so that it's at a low boil, and cook for 20 minutes. Reduce heat again just so that the liquid is simmering. Cover and cook for about 1 ½ hours, or until beans are tender. Check the beans after 1 hour, because they may be soft enough at that point if you like your beans a bit more firm. If you prefer the beans really soft and broken down, you may prefer to extend the cooking time to 2 hours. While the beans are cooking, check to occasionally make sure that the beans are covered with water (adding more water, if necessary). Discard bay leaf, remove ham hock from the pot, and shred or chop the meat. Return chopped meat to the pot with the beans. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if necessary. Garnish individual servings with hot sauce and herbs; serve with cornbread.

COUNTRY GREEN BEANS AND HAM

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, with a lid, over medium heat, add the oil. Season the ham with black pepper. Add the ham and cook for 2 minutes on each side. Remove and set aside. Add the onions. Season with salt and pepper. Saute for 2 minutes. Add the reserved ham and beans back to the pan. Cover the beans completely with water. Bring the liquid to a boil, reduce heat to medium low, partially cover and cook for 2 hours. Remove from the heat and reseason if necessary

OLD FASHIONED BUTTER BEANS & HAM

Steps:

• Half fill a large saucepan with water and stir in the beans, ham hock, quartered onion, garlic and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer, uncovered for 1 hour or until the beans are tender. Drain the beans, reserving all of the liquid and discarding the onion, garlic, and bay leaves. Transfer beans to a bowl and the ham hock to a cutting board. Cut the meat into small pieces (you should have about 1 cup). Discard the bones. In the same saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and saute for 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in the ham and enough bean liquid to make the beans soupy (about 2 cups); bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Stir in the beans, hot sauce, and salt and pepper to taste; heat for 3 minutes or until hot. Ladle into bowls (I like to add a couple of drops of catsup) and serve with warm fresh homemade bread and butter.

SPECKLED BUTTER BEANS AND COUNTRY HAM IN LEMON VELOUTE

Steps:

• In a heavy pan, bring the water to a boil and add the butter beans. When the water returns to a boil, turn the heat down and let the beans simmer for about 45 minutes, or until the skins are tender and the insides creamy, and most of the water has boiled off. While the beans are simmering, make the lemon veloute. In a small pan, heat the chicken stock. Fill the bottom of a double boiler with water, and bring to a boil. Meanwhile, in the top of the double-boiler, set directly over low heat, melt the butter and whisk in the flour. Cook, whisking, for five minutes, then slowly whisk in the hot stock. Place over the boiling water and cook for 45 to 50 minutes, stirring occasionally to keep a crust from forming on top. When the beans are done, add the country ham pieces and cook until the ham is just warmed. Meanwhile, remove the beans from the heat, add the lemon juice, and salt to taste. Remove the beans from the heat, pour the veloute over the beans, and mix well. Serve immediately.

SNAP BEANS WITH MUSTARD AND COUNTRY HAM

Steps:

• 1. Melt the butter in a large, heavy saucepan over moderate heat, add the ham and scallions, and cook, stirring now and then, for 5 to 8 minutes or until lightly browned.
• 2. Add the beans and broth and bring to a boil. Adjust the heat so the broth bubbles gently, cover, and cook for 12 to 15 minutes or until the beans are crisp-tender.
• 3. Meanwhile, combine the thickener and the mustard and set aside. As soon as the beans are done, whisk a little of the hot broth into the mustard mixture, stir back into the pan, add the pepper, and cook, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes or until the broth thickens. Continue cooking uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 5 minutes or until the sauce has the consistency of a glaze.
• 4. Taste the beans for salt and pepper, adjust as needed, and serve straightaway.

SOUTHERN LIMA BUTTER BEANS WITH HAM BITS

Steps:

• Bring water to boil and add beans, ham bits, bacon drippings, salt and black pepper.
• Cook on a low simmer heat for 1 1/2 hours. Some water will evaporate, but let at least 2 cups remain. Check frequently to not let water completely boil out.