One of my favorite places to eat out is the Whole Foods cafe (I maintain that the Whole Foods in Madison, WI on University is the best one I’ve eaten at so far). It’s a fun place to try a variety of healthy grains/tofu/legumes that I otherwise probably wouldn’t venture to cook. Butter beans are one of those things that I had never tried before eating at their salad bar and I really loved the creamy texture and mild flavor. Here how I like to eat my butter beans. Enjoy!

Ingredients (2 servings)

• 1 15 oz. can large butter beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 c fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped
• 1/2 lemon, juice and zest
• 1 garlic clove
• 2 tsp olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Heat olive oil in nonstick pan on medium heat. Squeeze the garlic clove through a garlic press or mince finely and add to warm oil. Let the garlic infuse the oil for approximately 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
2. Remove the pan from the heat and add the drained beans until they are slightly warmed and coated in the olive oil/garlic.
3. Transfer beans to bowl and stir in parsley, lemon juice and lemon zest. Add a pinch of salt and fresh pepper to taste.