Lima Bean Hummus Food

SCOTT PEACOCK'S BUTTERBEAN HUMMUS

Steps:

• Pick through and wash the lima beans. Put them into a heavy pot and add enough cold water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil and then simmer, partially covered, until they are very tender but not mushy. Remove from the heat and drain, reserving the cooking liquid.
• To the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steal blade, add the drained beans, garlic, tahini, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Puree this mixture, and with the motor running, slowly pour in the olive oil and lemon juice.
• If the puree is too thick, pour in a little of the reserved cooking liquid until the puree is silky smooth in appearance and on the tongue. Taste carefully for seasoning and add more salt and cayenne, if desired.

HERBED LIMA BEAN HUMMUS

Steps:

• Simmer beans, onion, garlic, salt, and water in a 3-quart saucepan, covered, until beans are tender, about 8 minutes. Stir in cilantro and parsley and let stand, uncovered, 5 minutes.
• Drain bean mixture in a sieve and transfer to a food processor. Add cumin, cayenne, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 4 tablespoons oil, dill, and mint and purée until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper and add lemon juice to taste.
• Mound dip in a serving bowl and drizzle with remaining tablespoon oil.

LIMA BEAN DIP

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.

BUTTER BEAN HUMMUS

Steps:

• Soak the beans overnight in plenty of water.
• Drain and discard the soaking water.
• Put the beans in a pot and cover with cold fresh water.
• Bring to a boil and then simmer, partially covered, until they are very tender but not mushy.
• Remove from heat and drain, reserving the cooking liquid.
• Put the beans in a food processor fitted with a steal blade.
• Add garlic, tahini, salt, pepper, and cayenne.
• Puree this mixture, and with the motor running, slowly pour in the olive oil and lemon juice.
• If the puree is too thick, pour in a little of the reserved cooking liquid until the puree is silky smooth, I use up about one cup of the cooking liquid.
• Taste for seasoning and add more salt and cayenne if desired.