- Paul Newman loved a simple lima bean recipe made with smoked ham hocks.
- The dish uses just three ingredients and is ideal for large holiday gatherings.
- Cook lima beans thoroughly to avoid the natural toxin found in raw beans.
If the humble lima bean isn’t one you always include as a Thanksgiving side dish, think again. The mild, slightly buttery legume is easy to track down on the freezer aisle, offers a helpful amount of fiber and is pretty delicious. In fact, actor and philanthropist Paul Newman had a family lima bean recipe he adored so much, it made its way into the Newman’s Own Cookbook.
The recipe comes from Caroline Murphy, the late actor’s housekeeper. “My three favorite dishes all happen to be the culinary creations of my own household, which is, of course, gastronomically incestuous,” Newman jokingly wrote in the 1998 cookbook. “Here’s the recipe for my housekeeper’s ham hocks and lima beans, which I would kill for.”
The simple but apparently irresistible recipe has just three ingredients: four smoked ham hocks, four 10-ounce packages of frozen lima beans and freshly-ground black pepper. Unfamiliar with ham hocks? They’re joints from a pig’s legs and are rich in bone, skin, fat and connective tissue. Often smoked and cured, the cuts of pork can be found in grocery stores in the meat or frozen meat sections.
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But Newman offered a note on the importance of a high-quality ham hock. “The only problem with this dish,” he wrote, “is that the ham hocks must be of top quality with lots of meat on them, and good ham hocks are hard to find. But, if you tell your butcher in advance, he can usually turn up some good ones for you.”
To make Newman’s cherished recipe, cook the ham hocks in water until they’re almost tender, about one to two hours. Add in the lima beans and pepper to taste, then cook until the lima beans are tender.
There’s a safety issue to note with lima beans, however. Raw lima beans contain a compound called linamarin, which turns into cyanide when consumed. To keep from becoming ill, be sure to cook lima beans for at least 10 minutes, or up to 30 minutes to be extra careful.
We’re big fans of traditional Turkey Day side dishes like sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce and green bean casserole, but hear us out: Newman’s lima bean recipe sounds like a pretty delicious side dish to add to the Thanksgiving spread, too. Not only is it inexpensive, but it’s super simple, making it a great addition when you’re feeding a large crowd or hoping to put something a little different on the table.
Want to try more of Paul Newman’s beloved recipes? We’re also fans of his tomato-endive salad, another recipe from the Newman’s Own Cookbook. In fact, with its fresh tomatoes, crisp endive, flavorful bacon pieces and tangy vinaigrette dressing, it’s another unique side that just might deserve a place on your holiday table this year.
And, if you’re on the hunt for other Turkey Day cooking tips, check out turkey-carving tips from the world’s fastest turkey carver or find out which type of potato chefs say is best for making mashed potatoes. After all, there’s no food holiday quite like Thanksgiving, and we’re here to help you cherish a day spent surrounded with a good meal and the people you love.
