Butter Beans and Shrimp

I think I mentioned in a previous post that I found butter beans in the pantry. Butter beans or lima beans is something I remember enjoying at my Maw Maw's. My Dad's mom always made them with shrimp and a roux. It is so good. I have made this recipe before with frozen but have not tried using dried beans. Well let me tell you dry beans will test your patience. It takes f-o-r-e-v-e-r for these beans to become tender and creamy. It is still worth it, just plan to try this recipe on one of those lazy days when you do not plan to leave the house. I did not have green onions and parsley today but it was still very good without.

Butter Beans and Shrimp

Makes 12 cups; Serves 6

1/2 cup Flour

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 onion, chopped

½ large green bell pepper, chopped

3 ribs of celery, chopped

1 lb dry butter beans (6 cups; approx. 2 lbs fresh or frozen butter beans)

1-1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 bay leaf

Salt and black pepper to taste

Red pepper flakes to taste

Cajun seasoning to taste

Seafood Stock (optional)

1/2 bunch green onions, sliced (optional)

¼ bunch of parsley, chopped (optional)

If using dry butter beans, rinse and sort beans. Pre-soak beans overnight or use a quick soak method. Quick Soak Method: Cover with 8 cups of water and bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes, remove from heat and let stand 1 hour. Drain beans.

Place beans in a dutch oven cover with an inch of water. Add black pepper, a dash of red pepper flakes and a bay leaf. Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer. Simmer until beans are just almost tender.

Heat flour and oil on medium heat, stirring constantly until milk chocolate or dark caramel color.

           

Add bell pepper, celery, and onion cook until softened. About 30 minutes covered stirring often. Add beans and liquid they cooked in. Cook another 30 minutes or until tender and almost creamy in texture. Season shrimp with salt, peppers and Cajun seasoning. Add shrimp and cook until pink. If necessary add more water or seafood stock until desired consistency. Taste for seasoning, adjust if necessary. Add green onions and parsley just before serving. Serve over rice.

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