Tuesday, April 07, 2009

If You Don't Know Beans About Beans

Beans get a bad rap.  But did you know they are a great source of protein, are high in fiber, and low in calories. 482200_dry_beans



If you cook your own from dried, they will cost you about ½ as much as the canned varieties!  (and have you ever checked out the sodium content in those cans??!! Whew!)



It's easy to do.



Purchase a pound package of dried beans (on the same aisle as the rice and pasta in most grocery stores).  Choose from white, red, pinto, black and many other varieties.



Rinse in a colander and place in a large pot.  Completely cover with water.  Leave over night to soak.  The next morning, bring the temperature of the water to almost boiling, and turn down to a low simmer.  Now, cook for 4-6 hours, or until soft.  (1 lb. dried = approx. 10 cups cooked.)



That's it!



You can even soak them overnight in the crockpot and cook all the next day. Season them now, or later.





At this point they are ready to be used in recipes or stored in the freezer.





I usually place 2 cups in a zip-lock freezer bag, seal, and lay flat in the freezer.



Currently, my freezer has red beans, white beans, black beans and a new supply of pintos.  To use them, I lay the frozen bag into the microwave and heat until thawed. Then, use as you would for canned beans.



Tomorrow, I'll share a few recipes:



White Bean Hummus

Mexican Black Bean Dip

Bean Flautas



C'mon...use your bean and start eating more beans!



 

Do you like beans?  Do you use them in any recipes?  Do share!

mom4



Robin

5 comments:

  1. LOVE beans, but I'm the lazy girl who uses the canned kind. :) Mostly due to ignorance and not knowing exactly what to do with the dried kind. So...thanks for the tutorial! Now I feel more comfortable experimenting!

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  2. Your a genius! I've never thought of freezing them! You need to write a book with all of your ideas. :)

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  3. Could've used this post a few months ago. Now, I know :-) Thanks!

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  4. Thanks for this! I always viewed preparing dry beans as a daunting task...guess not. I am going to do this!

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  5. I love beans...They are so easy to cook with!

    I usually buy a pound of Pintos, White, Blackeyed Peas, Navy...etc. Then mix them up and make my own bean soup mix.

    I will add Ham Hocks when I first cook the beans, then when they are soft I add Lentils. I usually serve with Cornbread or French Bread.

    The family will eat a big pot for a couple days.

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