Ackee And Butter Beans

The inspiration for making ackee and butter beans came to me recently on our recent trip to South Florida, we went to a restaurant in Fort Lauderdale and they had Ackee and Butter Beans on their menu.

Although I didn’t get it, I couldn’t pass up tofu curry and rice and peas, I couldn’t wait to get home to experiment with my own version. Some of my other ackee recipes you just have to try are Vegan Ackee, Jamaican Ackee Patty, Vegan Ackee Quiche, and Jamaican Ackee Pizza.

Ackee And Butter Beans

The combination of ackee and butter beans are amazing. The buttery ackee with the creamy butter beans is a wonderful treat. Ackee is a fruit that originated in West Africa and was carried by Captain Bly to Jamaica during slavery. It became a popular dish enjoyed in Jamaica. 

Note that only the naturally opened ackee should be eaten, the unripened closed fruit is toxic. The good thing is more than likely you will purchase your ackees in cans from the store.  Ackees in cans are processed in government-regulated facilities. Those that are sold here in the USA have met the Food And Drugs requirements. 

What Are Butter Beans?

Butter beans are a variety of lima bean, they are the mature dried cream-colored beans. They are usually large and flat and are also called broad beans and used interchangeably. 

Ingredients For Ackee And Butter Beans

• Ackee – cans of ackee are sold in Caribbean grocery stores, most major supermarkets in the International aisle and online on Amazon. 
• Butter Beans – butter beans are sold in most major supermarkets in the International aisle, the cans are also labeled as broad beans. They are also sold on Amazon. 
• Coconut Oil – for sauteing the vegetables but you can use olive oil or vegetable broth for an oil-free version.
• Onion – great for flavor, yellow onion is perfect.
• Green Onion – added to boost flavor, can be omitted if not available.
• Garlic – adds flavor to the recipe.
• Bell Pepper – Gives flavor and adds color to the dish.
• Thyme – adds an earthy flavor to your recipe, you can substitute with Italian seasoning
• Scotch Bonnet Pepper – Add whole to the recipe it adds a delicious flavor, substitute with cayenne pepper. 
• Vegan Bouillon –  added for additional flavor, it really takes your dish to another level.

How To Make Ackee And Butter Beans

1. Heat oil in a large sauce over medium-high heat, add onion and cook until soft, about 2 minutes. 
2. Stir in garlic, green onion, bell pepper, thyme, vegan bouillon. 
3. Reduce heat to low heat. Add the butter beans and stir, cooking for one minute. 
4. Gentle stir in the ackee to coat. Cover saucepan and allow the dish to cook through about 2 minutes. Serve immediately.

What To Serve With Ackee And Butter Beans?

• Jamaican Boiled Dumplings
• Roast Breadfruit
• Callaloo
• Jamaican Callaloo Fritters
• Jamaican Festival
• Green Banana Run Down
• Yuca (Cassava) With Garlic Sauce

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