Cooking legumes

Hi to all

I am confused on cooking black beans. Should I soak them for 24 hours?

Should I boil them, then simmer for 2 hours? I only use these for a

side dish with my meals.

3 Responses to “Cooking legumes”

  1. Rosie Deb Says:

    Hello there,

    When I use any dry bean I soak them overnight…which
    requires planning.

    I then cook the next day as desired. I cook until they are
    done to my taste preference which is an average of 2 hours
    depending on the freshness of the beans. I usually freeze
    beans in portions for later use.

    **There is a quick soak method that I have use for pintos but
    not tried on other beans. That is to bring the sorted and
    rinsed beans to a boil in plain water. Then remove from
    stove…preferably put the pot in the sink and add a small
    amount of baking soda (it will foam up on you). The amount

    of baking soda depends on how many pounds you are cooking,
    but generally no more than 1 Tbsp. … then let sit for
    only 1 hour!! Pour off the soaking water and rinse well!
    Then add more fresh water and cook as desired. This should
    make them tender and is helpful in reducing the general
    after effects of beans. DO NOT DO THIS METHOD OVERNIGHT…
    your beans will be ruined!

    I use lots of beans of all types… so I buy canned but
    I rinse them very well before using!!

    I cooked anasazi beans recently and they are really wonderful…
    I am looking forward to having them again… I also have some
    cranberry beans that need cooking… and eating!

    Take care,
    Gloria

    Hi to all

    I am confused on cooking black beans. Should I soak them for 24 hours?

    Should I boil them, then simmer for 2 hours? I only use these for a

    side dish with my meals.

  2. Heriberto Reyes Says:

    One of the most important things to making good beans is
    the soaking overnight in just plain water - pouring that
    off and rinsing well - then put in crock pot (easiest way)
    with water to cover, a few cloves of garlic and a few tails
    of onions, put on high for an hour and then low for whatever
    they need. The bean pot is a great way to use up bits
    and pieces of meats and veggies - black beans in a soup
    can be dressed up when you serve with chopped green tomatoes
    (tomatillo), chopped onion, bit of chopped green chili
    (serrano) and if you are feeling decadent a teaspoon of
    light sour cream. Yummy !!!

  3. Suzette Cortney Says:

    I actually prefer not to soak my beans, pintos or Anasazi’s. I wash them and
    put them in cold water, bring to a boil and keep it at a low boil the whole
    time, a couple of hours, adding more cold water as needed. I like them with
    just garlic and salt, a whole lot of garlic ;o) ! They don’t retain their shape
    and go sort of soupy, but that is the way I grew up eating them and still my
    favorite way, particularly good with fresh homemade flour tortillas or
    cornbread.

    Sandi in OK

    From: Conejos Mexico

    One of the most important things to making good beans is
    the soaking overnight in just plain water - pouring that
    off and rinsing well - then put in crock pot (easiest way)

    with water to cover, a few cloves of garlic and a few tails
    of onions, put on high for an hour and then low for whatever
    they need. The bean pot is a great way to use up bits
    and pieces of meats and veggies - black beans in a soup
    can be dressed up when you serve with chopped green tomatoes
    (tomatillo), chopped onion, bit of chopped green chili
    (serrano) and if you are feeling decadent a teaspoon of
    light sour cream. Yummy !!!

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