Indulge in the rich, comforting flavors of the South with our hearty Lima Beans and Ham Hocks recipe. This classic dish combines tender baby lima beans with succulent ham hocks, infused with aromatic herbs and spices for a meal that’s both satisfying and full of soul.
Ingredients
🥓 2 to 3 ham hocks
🌱 2 cups baby lima beans, soaked for 4 to 6 hours
🧈 1 quarter stick of unsalted butter
🧅 1 large white or yellow onion, diced
🌿 2 stalks of celery, diced
🌶️ 1 green pepper, diced
🧄 2 garlic cloves, chopped
🐔 1 chicken bouillon cube
🧄 Garlic powder (to taste)
🧅 Onion powder (to taste)
🌿 Thyme (to taste)
🌿 Italian seasoning (to taste)
🌱 1 teaspoon celery seed (or to taste)
🌿 Rosemary (a pinch)
🌶️ Red pepper flakes (a pinch)
🧂 Adobo seasoning (optional)
Instructions
1- Preparation:
- Begin by soaking the baby lima beans in water for a minimum of 4 to 6 hours. If time is limited, opt for frozen or canned beans, but soaking enhances texture and flavor.
- Thoroughly clean the ham hocks in lukewarm water to remove any impurities.
2- Cooking the Ham Hocks:
- In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add the cleaned ham hocks and boil for 20 to 30 minutes.
3- Adding the Beans and Ingredients:
- Once the ham hocks are partially cooked, drain and rinse the soaked lima beans.
- Add the beans to the pot with the ham hocks. If using frozen or canned beans, adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Stir in the chicken bouillon cube, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of rosemary.
4- Building the Flavor:
- Add the diced onion, celery, green pepper, and chopped garlic to the pot.
- Drop in a quarter stick of unsalted butter and stir to incorporate the flavors.
- Sprinkle in celery seed, a pinch of red pepper flakes, and, if desired, adobo seasoning. Adjust seasonings to taste, keeping in mind the salt content from the ham hocks.
5- Simmer and Serve:
- Allow the mixture to simmer on low heat, stirring occasionally. If the liquid reduces too quickly, add more water to ensure the beans remain submerged.
- After about an hour, check the tenderness of the beans. Cook for an additional hour or until the beans are tender and the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Once done, serve the Lima Beans and Ham Hocks over cooked white rice for a complete meal.
Prep Time: 6 hours (including beans soaking time)
Cook Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 8 hours
Servings: 4-6 servings
Calories: Approximately 350
Protein: 20g
Fats: 18g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Equipment: Large pot, Sharp knife, Cutting board
Cooking Tips:
- Regularly check the liquid level in the pot and add more water as necessary to prevent the beans from drying out.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning throughout the cooking process to suit your preference.
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