I'm not advertising for Camellia Beans, but I was raised on Camellia Beans. I love BEANS! ...and cook most of them, pretty dang good. This is a favorite lima bean recipe passed downed (sort'a) from my Dad and Mom. Of course I took away and added a couple of ingredients and spices and I expect my Kids to do the same to make it one of their favorite dishes.

  Ingredients:

   1 lb. package of large dry lima beans (pre-soak over night then drain)

   1/2 cup chopped yellow onions

   1/2 cup chopped bell pepper

   1/2 cup chopped celery

   1/2 cup chopped green onion

   1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

   one diced jalapeno

   2 bay leaves

   1 tablespoon minced garlic

   1/2 lb. cooked diced ham

   1/2 lb.  diced smoked sausage

   2 or 3 smoked ham hocks

   1 can of your favorite beer

   1/4 cup of olive oil

   1/4 cup of self rising flour

   * seasoning: salt, black pepper, white pepper, red pepper, Worcestershire and basil flakes. Use your seasoning skills!

   
In a large iron pot; boil, cut, and, simmer the hocks in 6 cups of water. Season with a little salt, black pepper, white pepper and red pepper and simmer for at least two hours.

   Make a light chocolate colored roux in a large skillet with the olive oil and flour. Carefully add the chopped vegetables, parsley, jalapeno and garlic to the cooked roux and sauté until the vegetables are wilted. Spoon-in the roux into the pot. Add the beans, ham, sausage, beer and enough water to cover if needed after your stock has cooked down and a couple more dashes of your seasonings.

   Bring to a slow boil then cut heat to simmer for at least 2 hours. Skim fat from the top as the pot cooks and add a little more liquid (water, chicken broth) if needed. When the beans are tender, taste in case you need a little more seasoning.

 

   That's it. Maybe sounded a little complicated, but it's not, and, the taste is real rustic, Cajun eats.

"Lagniappe:  Serve over a mound of Rice with a little Gumbo Fillet sprinkled over-top. Pop's always made Cornbread with this. Momma made Biscuits. Granny would have both, plus Rabbit Dumplin's, Fried Chicken and a bunch of cookies and cakes for us kids!

 D. Bass