Lima Beans

Ingredients 

(ham is optional) as is anything below 

• 1 pound dried large lima beans
• 1 tablespoon bacon grease or butter
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1/3 cup diced celery
• 1/4 cup diced carrot- optional 
• 1 1/2 cups chopped smoked ham
• 2 ham hocks
• 1 (32-ounce) carton chicken broth
• 4 cups water
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 teaspoon Cajun or Creole seasoning

Instructions

• Rinse and sort the beans, getting rid of any broken pieces. Place in a stockpot or Dutch oven and cover with 1-inch of water. Bring to a boil. Place lid on pot and remove from heat. Let sit 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, in a large pot or Dutch oven, heat bacon fat over medium heat. 
• Add onion, celery, and carrots and saute until soft, about 3 to 5 minutes.
• Add ham, ham hocks, chicken broth, water, bay leaves, garlic powder, thyme, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
• Bring to a boil and reduce heat to maintain a simmer. Simmer for 1 hour.
• Once beans have been sitting for an hour, drain them.
• Add beans, butter, and Cajun or Creole seasoning to the chicken broth mixture after it has simmered for 1 hour. Continue to simmer for 60 to 90 minutes. If liquid level gets too low (ie not all the beans are submerged), add more water.
• Remove ham hocks. Let cool slightly and then remove any meat from the bone, chop it up and return it to the pot. Optional.
• Serve with a side of cornbread for a main dish.