Lima Bean And Sweet Pepper Gratin Recipe 45

Steps:

• Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. In a medium saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter. Add the shallot and cook over moderate heat until softened. Add the lima beans, stock, bay leaf, 1 cup of water and a large pinch of salt and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over low heat until the beans are tender, 30 minutes; drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid. Discard the bay leaf. Preheat the oven to 375°. In a large, deep skillet, heat the oil. Add the onion and bacon and cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until the onion is lightly caramelized, 10 minutes. Stir in the garlic, roasted peppers, parsley, thyme and lima beans; remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the reserved 1 cup of cooking liquid and half of the cheese and season with salt and pepper. Transfer the lima beans to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle on the basil, followed by the remaining cheese and the bread crumbs. Dot with the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and bake in the upper third of the oven for 25 minutes, until golden brown. Let the gratin stand for 10 minutes; serve. *MAKE AHEAD The recipe can be prepared through Step 2 and refrigerated overnight in the baking dish. Bring to room temperature before proceeding.

Steps:

• Bring about 3 1/2 cups water to a boil in a small saucepan.
• Heat a medium stockpot over medium-low heat and add the oil. Saute the onions in the oil, gradually adding 1 cup of the boiling water and stirring frequently, until the onions are soft and golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Add the lima beans and cook until beginning to soften, 10 minutes more. Add the sugar, some salt and red pepper flakes and the remaining boiling water. Partially cover the pan and cook until the lima beans are tender, about 40 minutes. Use the back of a wooden spoon to gently mash one-third of the tender beans and combine to make creamy. Serve warm.

Steps:

• In a skillet, heat the bacon over moderate heat. When partially rendered, add the olive oil. When the oil is hot add the onions, cover and cook for 15 minutes or until really tender. Add the garlic, tomato, tomato puree, and hot chili pepper and simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Add the lima beans, cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until they have had a chance to absorb the flavors. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve with grilled Italian sausages or breakfast sausages.

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the bacon. Cook until crispy, about 15 minutes. Remove the bacon from the skillet to paper towels, reserving the drippings in the skillet. Crumble the bacon once cooled.
• Add the butter to the drippings in the skillet and heat until melted. Add the onion and saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the lima beans and garlic. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Cook until the lima beans are tender and the broth has evaporated, about 25 minutes.
• Add the bell pepper, tomatoes and crumbled bacon, adding more butter if needed. Saute until the vegetables are tender, 2 to 3 minutes longer. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.

Steps:

• Bring a saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the lima beans and garlic and simmer until tender, 18 to 20 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool slightly (the beans should be warm but not hot). Pulse the lima beans, garlic, parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a food processor until just combined. With the motor running, pour in the olive oil and process until incorporated but still slightly chunky. Transfer to a bowl and top with the bacon. Serve warm or at room temperature with pita chips and/or vegetable sticks. Buy lima beans frozen: They're bright green and buttery tasting. The olive-colored, mushy lima beans you remember from childhood were probably canned.

Steps:

• Place water, bouillon cubes and butter in a 4-quart pot with lid. Cover, place over high heat and bring liquid to a boil. Remove lid and add frozen lima beans. Re-cover and bring back to a boil, about 5 minutes. Uncover pot, reduce heat to medium high and maintain a moderate boil for 20 minutes, until beans are tender and most of liquid has evaporated, Stir frequently. If liquid evaporates too quickly, add additional water, 1/2 cup at a time, until the full 20 minutes has elapsed. Maintain water level just below beans' surface so beans don't burn. Season with the black pepper, and serve.