Friday, March 25, 2011

Recipe Friday: Maple Baked Limas

With warmer weather approaching, picnic season is just around the corner.  I know what you're thinking, what do lima beans have to do with cookouts?  Let me just say this, if you serve this as a side at your next BBQ, you may never want to go back to traditional baked beans!

This is a recipe I got from my mother-in-law years ago, and it is absolutely marvelous!  It's a hearty side, but so scrumptious, you'll think you're eating dessert!  Aside from the awesome taste, limas are really nutritious! Here are a few facts from E-how Health:

Lima beans are a good source of B vitamins including B6, niacin and folate. Lima beans also are a good source of manganese and iron.

Lima beans are a great source of dietary fiber. One cup of lima beans provides 65 percent of your daily value for fiber.

Lima beans help lower blood sugar levels. Because of their high fiber content, lima beans keep you feeling full and keep your blood sugar at an even level.

Lima beans are also a source of potassium, magnesium and iron. They provide 86 percent of the daily value of molybdenum, a mineral that helps detoxify sulfites.

One cup of cooked lima beans provides 216 calories. Calories from fat are very low--about 6. Limas are a very nutritious, low-fat food.

And to think I used to hate lima beans!  Here's today's recipe.  It's a crock pot dish, so take the time into account when you plan to make it.  Hope you enjoy!

Maple Baked Lima Beans

8 cups water
1 lb dry limas
1 cup chopped onion
1 slice bacon, diced
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup catsup
1 T Worcestershire sauce
1 t salt
1/8 t pepper
1 bay leaf

In saucepan, bring water and beans to boil.  Simmer 1 1/2 hours.  Drain; reserve one cup of liquid.  Pour beans and reserved liquid into bowl and chill overnight.  Transfer beans and liquid into slow cooker, add remaining ingredients, stir until combined.  Cook on low 8-10 hours. Remove bay leaf

Do you like lima beans? If you don't, this recipe will change your mind! Thanks for visiting, and have a great weekend!

8 comments:

Mary@GigglesandGuns said...

I don't cook unless required but iam making these this weekend to go with the BBQ and deviled eggs. hey just sounded and looked so-o-o good. 'll let you know.

The Happy Whisk said...

How about that? I never thought to put these together. Fantastic idea. Thanks for the fun Friday post. Wishing you a healthy fun weekend.

Myne said...

I'm not a big fan of Lima beans, tried them once in a soup. But maybe this will change my mind as you say.

Have a lovely weekend.

Maria McKenzie said...

@Mary: Hope you like these! They're really great!

@Happy Whisk: Never in a million years would I have thought to put these ingredients together! But they really are amazing!

@Myne: I used to hate Lima beans! Hope you'll try these sometime because they'll change your mind:).

The Happy Whisk said...

I am excited to give it a go. Thanks for the neato idea. When I make them (probably over the summer), I'll be sure and reference this blog post. Thanks again for the fun post.

Maria McKenzie said...

You're welcome;)!

William Kendall said...

I'm not at all a fan of beans, but the rest would make for a tasty sauce!

Maria McKenzie said...

Not even baked beans?