Camellia Butter Beans are a popular Southern-style dish made with Camellia-brand butter beans (which are a type of large, creamy bean), often cooked in a flavorful broth with seasonings and smoked meat for a comforting and hearty meal. Butter beans, also known as lima beans, have a smooth, buttery texture that makes them perfect for slow-cooked dishes like this one.Here’s a simple and delicious recipe for Camellia Butter Beans:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb dried butter beans (Camellia-brand if you can find them)
- 4 cups water or chicken broth (for extra flavor)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil or bacon drippings
- 1 smoked ham hock or 1/2 lb smoked sausage (or use ham bones, bacon, or turkey wings for flavor)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional for a deeper flavor)
- 1 tsp dried thyme or 1 tbsp fresh thyme (optional)
- Fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Beans:
- If using dried butter beans, rinse them thoroughly to remove any debris or dust. Some people like to soak their beans overnight to help reduce cooking time, but this is optional. If you choose not to soak the beans, you’ll need to cook them a little longer.
2. Cook the Aromatics:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil or bacon drippings over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, sautéing them for 3-4 minutes until they are soft and fragrant.
3. Add the Meat and Seasoning:
- Add the smoked ham hock (or your choice of smoked meat) to the pot. If you’re using sausage, you can slice it and add it to the pot at this point as well. Stir to combine.
- Add the bay leaf, thyme, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. These seasonings will infuse the beans with rich flavor as they cook.
4. Simmer the Beans:
- Add the dried butter beans to the pot along with 4 cups of water or chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low.
- Cover the pot and simmer for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the butter beans are tender. Stir occasionally and check the water level. If the beans are drying out, add more water or broth, a little at a time.
5. Final Seasoning and Adjustments:
- Once the beans are tender, remove the ham hock or meat from the pot and shred any meat off the bone. Add the shredded meat back to the beans.
- Taste the beans and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or smoked paprika if needed.
6. Serve:
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness.
- Serve the Camellia Butter Beans with cornbread, rice, or your favorite side dishes for a true Southern feast.
Tips:
- Use a Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot: If you’re short on time, you can cook dried butter beans in a pressure cooker or Instant Pot. Add the beans, water, and seasonings, and cook on high pressure for 25-30 minutes, then let the pressure release naturally.
- Meat Substitutes: If you’re looking for a vegetarian version, you can skip the smoked meat and use vegetable broth and additional seasonings like liquid smoke to mimic the flavor.
- Soaking Beans: If you soak your beans overnight, the cooking time will be reduced to about 1 hour on the stovetop or 15-20 minutes in the pressure cooker.
- Frozen Butter Beans: If you don’t have dried butter beans, you can use frozen butter beans. They will cook much faster—about 30 minutes on the stove or 10-15 minutes in the Instant Pot.
Camellia Butter Beans are the ultimate comfort food with a rich, creamy texture and smoky flavor that pairs beautifully with cornbread or over a bed of rice. Whether you’re serving them as a main dish or a hearty side, they’re sure to be a crowd-pleaser!