How To Cook Dry Beans

Title:
How To Cook Dry Beans

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Instruction,
Information




Ingredients:









 Before Cooking


 ==============


 There are several accepted ways of preparing dry beans for


 cooking. All start with a thorough washing in cold water and inspection


 for damaged beans and foreign material. If you have time to cook the


 variety you have chosen until it reaches the desired tenderness, soaking


 is not essential. However, most cooks prefer some method of soaking to


 shorten cooking time and to improve either flavor, texture, appearance or


 digestibility. In either of the soaking methods below, it is recommended


 that the soaking water be discarded and the beans rinsed and cooked in


 fresh water.


 


 Soaking Tips


 ============


 Recent studies have shown that bringing beans to a boil, then soaking


 for 12 or more hours makes them more digestible. Therefore, the revised


 method for traditional soaking is given here. The quick method is


 acceptable for occasions when time is limited.


 


 Traditional Method: Wash one pound dry beans. Add to 10 cups boiling


 water; boil 2 minutes. Remove from heat; cover and soak 12 hours or


 overnight. Drain, rinse and cook.


 


 Quick Method: Wash one pound dry beans. Add to 10 cups boiling water;


 boil 2 to 1 minutes. Cover and soak 1 to 4 hours. Drain, rinse and cook.


 Be sure pot is large enough to allow beans to expand 2-1/2 times.


 


 Cooking/Storage Tips Cooking Method: Drain and rinse soaked beans; put


 into large kettle. Add 6 cups hot water, 1 to 2 tablespoons shortening


 or oil and 2 teaspoons salt. Boil gently with lid tilted until tender.


 Cooking time will range from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on variety of


 bean.


 


 * Simmer beans slowly. Cooking too fast can break skins.


 


 * Cook enough beans for more than one meal at a time.  For storing a day


 or two, cover and refrigerate. For longer storage, freeze in airtight


 plastic bags or freezer-proof containers.


 


 Bean Equivalents


 ================


 One pound of dry beans equals about 2-1/4 cups dry or 5 to 6 cups cooked


 beans.  One can (15-1/2 oz.), drained, equals about 1-2/3 cups.


 


 Copyright IDAHO BEAN COMMISSION  P.O.Box 9433...Boise, Idaho 83707


 


 


 File ftp://ftp.idiscover.co.uk/pub/food/mealmaster/recipes/id_beans.zip