Beans: Good for your heart!
Beans as a side dish? Vegetarians are more used to featuring beans in the main dish, but since discovering how useful they can be as a complement to a meal, rather than the centerpiece, I keep several cans of beans on hand for those nights when pasta isn't quite enough.
Lima beans, often called butter beans when canned, are a great source of fiber and protein, and like other legumes, can decrease risk of heart disease. Plus they're low in fat and calories. When combined with garlic, they're not only tasty but offer even more heart protective benefits.
But forget all that. They taste great, and are a snap to prepare. To find out how, keep reading.
Lima Beans with Lemon and Garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 can lima (butter) beans, drained and rinsed
1 clove garlic, minced
chopped herbs (I used small-leaved Greek basil)
lemon juice
Heat the olive oil in a small sauce pan. Add the beans and the garlic. Heat through (only a few minutes; canned beans are already cooked). Remove to a bowl.
Sprinkle with herbs and add a few squeezes of lemon juice. Serve immediately.
This will make 2-3 servings. For more, double the recipe, of course.
