I still love butter beans and I still use this recipe.  Mom would send me to the garden to get about five pods of okra to add to the beans.  I have yet to eat butter beans with that ingredient outside my family.  I guess some don't know what they are missing.  You should at least try some things once to add a little creativity to a meal, mom did.  Just add the okra with about 15 minutes of cooking time left on the beans.

MOM'S BUTTER BEANS         

1 pound of dried baby lima beans
1/4 cup vegetable broth
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 pkg. (6 oz.)  smoked chopped turkey breast or use fried sliced salt pork or a smoked ham hock.

*Put soaked and drained beans in 6 cups of boiling water.

Add all ingredients together in a bean pot.  Boil the beans for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours  or until desired tenderness is reached.

In today's health conscience society I will suggest you use the smoked turkey breast for seasoning.  Mom would slice off a couple pieces of salt pork and fry it and add the salt pork and the grease from the salt pork to the white lima beans for flavor. 

You could also add some whole fresh or frozen okra to the beans.  Okra should be added when there is approximately 15 minutes left of cooking time to the beans.  You don't want to over cook the beans or the okra.

*How To Quick-Soak Beans
Place beans in large pot. Cover completely with water. Bring to boil; simmer 2 minutes. Let stand 1 hour or let soak over night for 6 to 8 hours.  Drain and rinse.










How To Quick-Soak Beans
Place beans in large pot. Cover completely with water. Bring to boil; simmer 2 minutes. Let stand 1 hour.