Baked Lima Bean Mash

This recipe came from a vegetarian cookbook that was trying to make mock gefilte fish. If that's what you're aiming for-this isn't going to be satisfying. I ended up changing it quite a bit because I lacked some special ingredients and then absent mindedly forgot to add the eggs. That was a happy mistake, as it turned it into a nice side dish. It can be eaten hot or cold, though my feeling is that it tastes better hot. On the other hand, it firms up nicely when cold and can be cut into squares for easy lunch box transport. I'm really glad I spaced out the eggs, and I will probably make this again. You can see another mashed lima bean dish I've made HERE though this is made from dried, white lima beans.

Of course, I forgot to take a photo because I'm distracted (obviously-I forgot to add two eggs).

You Will Need:

1 1/2 cups dried lima beans (or butter) soaked overnight
1 bay leaf
1 small bunch parsley
2 cloves garlic, one sliced one chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1/4 cup butter
3 tablespoons cooking oil
1 small green pepper, chopped finely
1/3 cup vegetable stock
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 1/2 tablespoons butter

Rinse the soaked beans and then place them in a large pot. Cover with water and boil rapidly for ten minutes. Drain off water, add fresh and return to a boil. Add the parsley, carrot, sliced garlic and bay leaf. bring to a boil and then reduce to simmer. Cook partially covered until very soft.

Drain the beans discarding bay leaf and parsley but keeping garlic and carrot. Cook the onion in 1/4 cup butter and vegetable oil for a few minutes until softened. Add chopped garlic and green pepper and cook until quite soft-about ten to fifteen minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Add the beans and carrot to the onion/pepper mix and mash well. Adjust seasonings. Pour into a well-oiled baking dish and dot with extra butter. Combine lemon juice with stock and pour over casserole. Bake in a pre-heated oven 30-45 minutes or until top begins to brown. The inside will be soft and fluffy.

Serve hot or cold.