|
freddurgan
Techgnostic



Registered: 01/11/04
Posts: 3,648
Last seen: 11 years, 8 months
|
Cooking dried beans! - I'm terrible at it, help!
#7000538 - 06/02/07 04:09 PM (16 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
Help me!
Beans are so good if cooked right, but I'm training my brain to hate them. I've cooked beans so poorly for so long and I can't fix it! Now the thought of beans almost disgusts me and that's bad. Well prepared black beans are sooo good. Baked beans are sooooo good.
How do you people do it? I don't want some kind of complicated bean recipe. I want to cook JUST beans with ample seasoning so that I can store them in the fridge and use them for whatever (Tacos, beans and rice, etc..)
Thanks!
|
daussaulit
Forgetful

Registered: 08/06/02
Posts: 2,894
Loc: Earth
|
Re: Cooking dried beans! - I'm terrible at it, help! [Re: freddurgan]
#7000837 - 06/02/07 06:08 PM (16 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
You should probably post on how you do it, and then we can point out the areas that would need another technique.
|
Brainiac
Rogue Scientist



Registered: 04/29/06
Posts: 13,259
Loc: 與您的女朋
|
Re: Cooking dried beans! - I'm terrible at it, help! [Re: daussaulit]
#7000865 - 06/02/07 06:20 PM (16 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
Soak the beans over night. or Do like the pros do and use canned beans.
(1/2) 1 (30 oz.) can pork and beans (15) 1 onion, chopped(1/2) 1 cup ketchup (4oz) 1/2 cup brown sugar (2oz) 1 tablespoon prepared mustard (1 1/2 teaspoon) 1/2 lb. bacon, cut into small pieces (1/4lb)
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a 12-inch Lodge Camp Dutch oven. Bake with 8 coals under and 12 on lid for about 2-1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. Remove lid for last half hour to let moisture escape.
Serves 10-20(5-10) **RECIPE TAKEN FROM THE 2002 OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES DUTCH OVEN COOKING COOKBOOK BY THE INTERNATIONAL DUTCH OVEN SOCIETY
Edited by Brainiac (06/02/07 07:38 PM)
|
Veritas

Registered: 04/15/05
Posts: 11,089
|
Re: Cooking dried beans! - I'm terrible at it, help! [Re: freddurgan]
#7001047 - 06/02/07 07:39 PM (16 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
Here's the scoop:
http://whatscookingamerica.net/Vegetables/driedbeantip.htm
I used to have trouble with cooking beans, too. It turns out the beans I was using were stale, so they never became tender. 
Now I like to use my slow cooker. It's AWESOME! I can put the beans and water in before I leave for work, set it on "low," and when I get home--dinner's ready!
You can use it to make chilis & soups, too. It takes about 8-10 hours to cook beans on "low," or 5-7 hours on "high." I don't use the "high" setting for beans unless I HAVE to, though, because sometimes they stick to the bottom.
|
freddurgan
Techgnostic



Registered: 01/11/04
Posts: 3,648
Last seen: 11 years, 8 months
|
Re: Cooking dried beans! - I'm terrible at it, help! [Re: Veritas]
#7001124 - 06/02/07 08:03 PM (16 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
Well ok, I've done a few things differently.
1.) I let them soak overnight as opposed to doing the fast boil. 2.) I cooked 2 pounds all at once, which might have made it too complicated for me. It was also way too many beans!
I tried adding 2 cloves of garlic but it ended up adding practically no flavor to 2 full pounds of beans.
Do you soak the beans before you put them in the slow cooker or do you just go straight from bag to slow cooker? I have one but never even thought about using it.
|
Veritas

Registered: 04/15/05
Posts: 11,089
|
Re: Cooking dried beans! - I'm terrible at it, help! [Re: freddurgan]
#7001605 - 06/02/07 10:36 PM (16 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
I don't soak, just add beans & water to the slow cooker. I don't measure, either, just fill the slow cooker about 1/2 full with water & add beans until it is close to 3/4 full.
|
freddurgan
Techgnostic



Registered: 01/11/04
Posts: 3,648
Last seen: 11 years, 8 months
|
Re: Cooking dried beans! - I'm terrible at it, help! [Re: Veritas]
#7001863 - 06/02/07 11:55 PM (16 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
Do you add any seasoning or anything?
|
A3eyedfish
mycophile



Registered: 05/06/99
Posts: 1,454
Loc: Wut some people Call Par...
|
Re: Cooking dried beans! - I'm terrible at it, help! [Re: freddurgan]
#7021242 - 06/07/07 10:39 PM (16 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
Black Beans New York City Rican Style. In Spanish Harlem this is how it is done...
soak the black beans over night & into the next day, always keep like an inch of water above the bean mass.
Slow simmer the beans, keep adding water, you want them to become tender & to have some what of a broth.
In a seperate sauce pan, saute chopped onion, and then add chopped garlic to the saute.
once you are ready, add the garlic & onion to the bean slow simmer gig.
Add salt & pepper to taste, then add fresh chopped clentro & turn off the heat & mix it all up. let it just sit & the flavors to blend.
While you are waiting, cook real yellow rice, when you are ready to eat, top some rice with the black bean simmer & seriously enjoy
--------------------
|
demiu5
humans, lol


Registered: 08/18/05
Posts: 43,948
Loc: the popcorn stadium
|
Re: Cooking dried beans! - I'm terrible at it, help! [Re: freddurgan]
#7021533 - 06/08/07 12:06 AM (16 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
beans are so simple
soak at least overnite if not for 24 hours
use the total water needed to soak in so you don't have to add more later. Bring them to a boil for a minute or two, simmer for 2-4 hours.
I've never skimmed my beans before, but I've just recently started skimming all my grains, legumes, starchy foods, and I'm sure skimming the beans couldn't hurt
-------------------- channel your inner Larry David
|
Veritas

Registered: 04/15/05
Posts: 11,089
|
Re: Cooking dried beans! - I'm terrible at it, help! [Re: freddurgan]
#7023177 - 06/08/07 03:03 PM (16 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
I prefer to season after the beans are done, so that the herbs/spices/hot sauce will not get diluted in the water.
Also, I like spicy beans & my kids prefer milder seasonings, and seasoning after allows you to customize.
|
Dr_T
Random Dude




Registered: 06/03/07
Posts: 1,839
Loc: Colorado
Last seen: 16 years, 4 months
|
Re: Cooking dried beans! - I'm terrible at it, help! [Re: Brainiac]
#7023200 - 06/08/07 03:12 PM (16 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Brainiac said: Soak the beans over night.
Yeah, that's the key. Wash them in cool water, drain, then add water to cover the beans plus an inch. Soak in fridge overnight. Next day, drain, rinse, and refill. Then cook.
Oh, and a lump of bacon fat makes a huge difference. You wouldn't think it would, but trust me.
-------------------- Roger Rabbit said: Growing mushrooms is part art, and part science, but it's not magic.
|
mushbaby
woodswalker




Registered: 09/30/06
Posts: 2,645
Loc: in my own lil world
|
Re: Cooking dried beans! - I'm terrible at it, help! [Re: Dr_T]
#7023906 - 06/08/07 07:18 PM (16 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
Yes soaking is key. If you are not a vegetarian then some kind of fatty meat is important.(bacon,salt pork, ham) Adds alot of flavor. Tends to need salt and I like lemon pepper too.
I have tried a crock pot but don't have a good outcome. No matter how long I cook they are still a little hard in the center.
Can't wait to try that black bean recipe. Yummy! Was down in Miami awhile back and found out I love black beans and rice!
|
demiu5
humans, lol


Registered: 08/18/05
Posts: 43,948
Loc: the popcorn stadium
|
Re: Cooking dried beans! - I'm terrible at it, help! [Re: mushbaby]
#7025690 - 06/09/07 07:59 AM (16 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
mushbaby said: Yes soaking is key. If you are not a vegetarian then some kind of fatty meat is important.(bacon,salt pork, ham) Adds alot of flavor. Tends to need salt and I like lemon pepper too.
I have tried a crock pot but don't have a good outcome. No matter how long I cook they are still a little hard in the center.
Can't wait to try that black bean recipe. Yummy! Was down in Miami awhile back and found out I love black beans and rice!
if they're still hard in the center, you need to cook them a little longer
-------------------- channel your inner Larry David
|
Dr_T
Random Dude




Registered: 06/03/07
Posts: 1,839
Loc: Colorado
Last seen: 16 years, 4 months
|
Re: Cooking dried beans! - I'm terrible at it, help! [Re: mushbaby]
#7025836 - 06/09/07 08:59 AM (16 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
mushbaby said: Yes soaking is key. If you are not a vegetarian then some kind of fatty meat is important.(bacon,salt pork, ham)
If you are vegetarian you can use a little margarine or a splash of vegetable oil. The oil is a taste carrier, it helps the flavors meld.
But bacon is the best. 
Trick I learned from the Joy of Cooking- blow on a bean. If the skin splits, they are done. If not, give them another hour.
-------------------- Roger Rabbit said: Growing mushrooms is part art, and part science, but it's not magic.
Edited by Dr_T (06/09/07 09:00 AM)
|
snoot
look alive ∞



Registered: 01/30/05
Posts: 9,640
Loc: 45º parallel
Last seen: 3 days, 4 hours
|
Re: Cooking dried beans! - I'm terrible at it, help! [Re: Dr_T]
#7027086 - 06/09/07 04:45 PM (16 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
beans = patience, and taste. Also depending on how you're cooking them, try adding a nice fat chunk of bacon fat or 'grizzle' from pork.
--------------------
∞ I am incapable of conceiving infinity, and yet I do not accept finity. - Simone de Beauvoir -
|
Dr_T
Random Dude




Registered: 06/03/07
Posts: 1,839
Loc: Colorado
Last seen: 16 years, 4 months
|
Re: Cooking dried beans! - I'm terrible at it, help! [Re: demiu5]
#7027167 - 06/09/07 05:26 PM (16 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
demius said:
if they're still hard in the center, you need to cook them a little longer
And don't add salt ahead of time- wait until they are done. Other spices are fine, but salt will make them hard.
-------------------- Roger Rabbit said: Growing mushrooms is part art, and part science, but it's not magic.
|
mushbaby
woodswalker




Registered: 09/30/06
Posts: 2,645
Loc: in my own lil world
|
Re: Cooking dried beans! - I'm terrible at it, help! [Re: Dr_T]
#7052241 - 06/16/07 08:29 AM (16 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
didn't know that about the salt!
The point I was trying to make about the crock pot is no matter how long I cook them in it (10 hrs +) they are STILL HARD. Other friends of mine swear by it. I'll just stick to a big pot.
|
Galvie_Flu



Registered: 06/30/02
Posts: 6,632
|
Re: Cooking dried beans! - I'm terrible at it, help! [Re: freddurgan]
#7052434 - 06/16/07 10:18 AM (16 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
depends what type of beans you cook. If your making lentils for example, soaking them overnight, they turn to a paste after about an hour of simmering.
|
Veritas

Registered: 04/15/05
Posts: 11,089
|
Re: Cooking dried beans! - I'm terrible at it, help! [Re: mushbaby]
#7053702 - 06/16/07 06:43 PM (16 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
Your beans are probably stale. I had the same problem when I first started cooking beans, and then bought beans from a store with more turnover in the bulk department. They should cook in about 8-10 hours on low or 6-8 hours on high in your slow cooker. If they do not, either you added salt or the beans are too old. (Or your crockpot has died.)
|
mushbaby
woodswalker




Registered: 09/30/06
Posts: 2,645
Loc: in my own lil world
|
Re: Cooking dried beans! - I'm terrible at it, help! [Re: Veritas]
#7054361 - 06/16/07 09:57 PM (16 years, 7 months ago) |
|
|
Well I absolutely added salt. Learned about it making them hard here. Could be stale beans as well.
|
|