Beans???

I won’t laugh, because I was where you are not all that long ago!  🙂  Did you buy the 1 lb packages of dried beans?  That’s all you really need for a good 6-8 cups of water for your soup.  Or anything else, for that matter…  Unless you’re cooking for a very large crowd.  For soaking, just cover them, maybe about an inch above them or so.  Some will float.  You can try pushing them down, but some will float anyway, and those you can just skim out and toss.  After you soak them overnight, drain them, then like I said above, 6-8 cups of water (or sometimes I do 10 cups) is more than enough to make soup – just add all your seasonings and veggies or whatever right in there with them.  If you’re not making soup, they will be softened, so you can just cook them according to whatever recipe you’re making, as though they were canned (only be aware you may have to add more liquid, since canned beans usually have something they soak in).

Many times I do the quick soak method if I’m in a hurry or forgot to soak them the night before (I am very forgetful like that LOL).  Just rinse them in some water, put them in a pot of water, heat to boil, boil for about 2 minutes, then shut off the heat and cover the pot for an hour.  Then it’s ready to go where you left off, as if you’d soaked them overnight.  (I must warn, however, that the quick-soak method is not as effective as the long-soak method for certain effects of beans, if you catch my “drift.”  LOL)

HTH!

I just do the quick method using the directions on the 15 bean soup bag. I think after you rinse and sort beans, you boil for 60 mins or so, drain, rinse, and add to your dish. I just use beans in soup with the 15 Bean bag. I add chicken broth, carrots, onion, garlic, celery and for spices: thyme, basil, oregano, salt and pepper. Good with cornbread and cheese and grapes.  

If a problem, just take Beano before the meal. lol

Tara

I too just started cooking beans from scratch in the last 2 years (and I’m 39!).  A good easy healthy recipe for black beans is:

1/2 pound-1 pound soaked black beans (well rinsed)

1/2 large jar-1 jar chunky salsa

2-4 (or more) cups water enough to create much liquid as the beans cook

salt to taste

Place all in crockpot in the am (we use smaller measurements cuz we have small family and small crockpot, but these freeze well after cooked so do the large amount if you have a large crockpot)

Cook for several hours (atleast 8) on low.  Or less hours on high.  Till tender, of course.

Serve with rice, cornbread, or whatever you like.

Enjoy!

Are you trying to soak them overnight?  I assume so…  So I’d put more water in.  You definitely need more than just to cover them.  They are absorbing that water to make them soft again (drying takes out the water, and soaking puts it back in).  If you have more questions, just ask!  🙂

I know you are probably already in bed, but just thought I’d share since you asked for suggestions.

I grew up eating white beans and/or pinto beans and cornbread, so I did learn this as a girl. I think this is regional maybe? WE LOVE to eat dried beans cooked in the crock-pot. If you like meat, try saving any leftover meat (ham, beef, chicken) in the freezer for your next crock-pot of beans.

You can add the meat, but be sure if you add a prepared meat like ham to alter the amount of salt and/or seasonings. Made that mistake once and they were way too salty. Poor DH was trying to eat them and be grateful. I said, “We can’t eat these!” It was that salty. YUCK!

Having said that, I do soak my beans overnight in a bowl covered in the sink. I don’t add them to the crock until rinsed and ready to cook. It could be done that way though–soaking in the crock-pot. If the water is all absorbed, you will definitely need to add more or they will become dry and some of them will stay that way after cooking.

BTW, I just guess on adding beans and water, but basically you’ll need about 1/3 beans to 2/3s water. Also, err on the side of having less dried beans than it looks like you will need. They absolutely grow LOL!

We also love to serve cole slaw and/or baked sweet potatoes with beans and cornbread. This time of year, we have wilted lettuce salad with it too! OK, I am getting hungry. Need to make beans tomorrow.

One more thing: you might want to google White Bean Chili if you like chicken. This yummy recipe has chicken and white beans as the base.

I am going to start soaking my own beans and will try the three recipes shared here. Do any of you have any more suggestions for yummy bean meals?

Ok if you’re like me and would never remember to soak them overnight lol here is how I cook pinto beans.

Look your beans(pick out any bad ones)

Wash them about three times(I go from one bowl to another)

Put in large pot with lots of water(trust me in this one lol)

Cover and bring to boil and then reduce heat to maybe medium low

Just so they are still boiling but not shooting water out of the pot

Cook for 4 hours

Check periodically and add more water as needed.

When you have about 30 min left, add salt and any seasoning you want

You can also add a hambone or bacon to it at the start if cooking.