Home-Style Butterbeans

Ingredients

5 bacon slices, diced 
1 small onion, minced 
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 (16-oz.) package frozen butterbeans
1/4 cup butter 
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon cracked pepper

Preparation

1. Cook bacon and onion in a large Dutch oven over medium heat 5 to 7 minutes. Add brown sugar, and cook, stirring occasionally, 1 to 2 minutes or until sugar is dissolved. Stir in butterbeans and butter until butter is melted and beans are thoroughly coated. Stir in 12 cups water.
2. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 2 hours or until beans are very tender and liquid is thickened and just below top of beans. Stir in salt and pepper.
Home-Style Lima Beans: Substitute 1 (16-oz.) package frozen baby lima beans for butterbeans. Proceed with recipe as directed.