Cooking/soaking beans (Vegan Planet CookBook)

[banslug]

I'm wondering something and need halp from all you bean-eaters. I'm reading/using the Vegan Planet Cookbook (LOVE it, btw) and I'm on the Bean chapter.

For dried beans:
Do I soak them, then cook them, then use them in a recipe?
Do I soak them and then use them in a recipe?

I'm a bit unclear on how to use them in recipes. I'm also going to soak and/or cook them, then freeze them in containers for convenience.

HELP! LOL

Thanks!

Gayle

 

[ella]

you definitely need to cook them after soaking-- this may also help:

http://www.centralbean.com/storeandsoak.html#Soaking

http://waltonfeed.com/self/beans2.html

 

[kathryn]

Soak them, RINSE THEM (to remove some of the gas-producing elements), then cook them in fresh water.

 

[CarlaVeg]

I definitely soak my beans overnight, except for lentils because they cook very fast.

That book is good isn't it? I have made a few recipes from that book. I should cook more though!

 

[banslug]

OK! So let me get this straight. I soak them. Then I can cook them and freeze them for future use, right? OR....I soak them then cook them in a soup, right?

I just don't want to OVER cook them by soaking them, cooking them, then throwing them into a soup and simmer even more. LOL

And YES.........I love this book!

Gayle

 

[saia11]

Gayle,
You definately want to Soak, Rinse, Cook, Rinse, Freeze/Use--in that order.

Incidentally, I wouldn't really recommend soaking, rinsing, then cooking the beans IN a soup. Then you end up with a really "beany" flavored broth, and one that is more likely to cause gas. Just don't put the already cooked beans in the soup until it's almost finished. Then they only need to heat through, not cook any further. This will help to avoid super-squashy bean syndrome.

Have fun!
Mattea

 

[banslug]

OK....think I FINALLY got it. Thanks! LOL.

How about this scenario....I use my crockpot ALL THE TIME! If a recipe calls for beans to be added to the ingredients then cooked for x amount of hours. I use my already-soaked beans and put them in the mixture and then cook all that together! Right?

LOL

Who knew cooking dry beans could be so confusing to little ol' me! LOL And I've got a college degree! lol

Gayle

 

[materialsgirl]

Gayle, I *think* you can cook beans in the crockpot that way, however do NOT add any salt to the crockpot, and make sure everything else you add to the pot is sodium-free. My understanding is that sodium slows the cooking process of beans, so they can end up still being crunchy even after a day in the crock pot. This is one reason why it's best to cook beans separately before you use them in a recipe.

 

[gettingstrong]

Yes, if the beans are going to cook for a long time, then I would use them after soaking but without precooking. I make pinto beans this way about once every couple of weeks. I don't even soak them - just wash about 2c and throw in the crock with a chopped onion, chili powder and garlic and 5- 6c water. Let it cook all day and serve with rice and salsa. Soaking and rinsing will speed up the cooking time and reduce the gas! I need to check the library for that cookbook. Marnie