My favorite comfort food dinner is meatloaf, mashed potatoes and lima beans. Lima beans might seem like an odd choice, but my mother had a way of preparing them that just made me swoon. One of my biggest regrets is that I never asked her how she did it. They came out creamy and very soft, but not mushy. I've tried to duplicate her success, and the last couple of times I think I found the right approach. I put them in the pot with just enough water to cover, then boil them for at least 30 minutes, adding a little bit of water here and there if they look dry. Once they look like they're starting to get nice and soft I add some butter and lots of pepper, then lower the heat and let them bubble away until I see that they're getting that creamy texture I love so much. Sometimes I throw in a little chopped ham at the end. I like the results I've gotten so far, but I'll keep tinkering with them until they're perfect.