How to cook dry black beans??

drfrog1 · 05-26-2008, 04:27 PM

I made the Southwestern chicken in the crockpot today that was posted recently and it was great, but I want to figure out how to tweak it a bit to use the beans I get from WIC and usually give away since I don't know how to cook them.

So, what do I need to do to the 1 lb bag of dried black beans in order to use them in the Southwestern chicken recipe? Baby steps please since I know nothing about cooking dried beans and when I've tried in the past, they weren't edible

.

Making sure that they stay semi-firm through the 5 hours of cooking in the crockpot too is very important - I don't think my family will like them in the recipe if they get mushy.

candlegal · 05-26-2008, 05:07 PM

i usually make mine on the stove as does the back of the bag says or put them in a slow cooker by themselves on low all day or at night with plenty of water. i have never mixed them in with other food while cookin

frugalsteward · 05-26-2008, 06:20 PM

I too follow the back of the bag. You have to soak them first--usually overnight, but there is also a quick soak method where you boil them a few minutes and then let sit covered for an hour or two. Just a note, the quick soak methods causes more nutrient loss. Then rinse them. Then you cook them by simmering on the stove with about three cups of water per cup of beans--I think it takes 2-3 hours for a pound of beans. There are variations in the time it takes before the get soft like how old they are--older beans take longer to cook. You can cook them in huge batches and freeze them too, if you are lazy like me and don't want to have to remember to soak and cook before dinner everytime. I am not sure what to tell you about not getting them mushy--my family loves mushy food. I would say mayve add less liquid to the crockpot recipe if you can, but I am not sure what the recipe is even. Or try not to cook the beans quite as long--that should work I would think.

honeydo · 08-17-2008, 08:50 AM

Dad always soaked the beans in water overnite.When us kids asked why he said to get the farts out.

MnM's Mama · 08-17-2008, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honeydo

Dad always soaked the beans in water overnite.When us kids asked why he said to get the farts out.

HA! That's what my Ma said about 15 bean soup too

05-26-2008, 04:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
drfrog1 is a proud momma of 3. VickysDeals Addict 1K Coupoints: (66) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: The Natural State Posts: 1,975 $aved!: 8 Helped 58 People $ave	How to cook dry black beans?? I made the Southwestern chicken in the crockpot today that was posted recently and it was great, but I want to figure out how to tweak it a bit to use the beans I get from WIC and usually give away since I don't know how to cook them. So, what do I need to do to the 1 lb bag of dried black beans in order to use them in the Southwestern chicken recipe? Baby steps please since I know nothing about cooking dried beans and when I've tried in the past, they weren't edible . Making sure that they stay semi-firm through the 5 hours of cooking in the crockpot too is very important - I don't think my family will like them in the recipe if they get mushy.
	Dana Married mom to 2 girls & a baby boy. ISO: Huggies diapers & wipes, long-dated baby coupons, Kroger & Target coupons, Science Diet & Purina One dog food, Ore Ida, Miralax $2+, Wonder Bread, $/$ Target & Toys R Us, No Beer Purchase Necessary Rebate forms good in AR, stamps, Coke codes, Box Top for Education (BTFE), Tyson A+ labels & Campbell's upc's

05-26-2008, 05:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
candlegal is dedicated to her kickboxing in the morning....yippeee i feel great already VickysDeals Addict 2K Coupoints: (35) Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: az Posts: 4,775 $aved!: 231 Helped 27 People $ave	i usually make mine on the stove as does the back of the bag says or put them in a slow cooker by themselves on low all day or at night with plenty of water. i have never mixed them in with other food while cookin
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05-26-2008, 06:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
frugalsteward is enjoying the school year. 750+ Post Club Member Coupoints: (7) Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 925 $aved!: 14 Helped 54 People $ave	I too follow the back of the bag. You have to soak them first--usually overnight, but there is also a quick soak method where you boil them a few minutes and then let sit covered for an hour or two. Just a note, the quick soak methods causes more nutrient loss. Then rinse them. Then you cook them by simmering on the stove with about three cups of water per cup of beans--I think it takes 2-3 hours for a pound of beans. There are variations in the time it takes before the get soft like how old they are--older beans take longer to cook. You can cook them in huge batches and freeze them too, if you are lazy like me and don't want to have to remember to soak and cook before dinner everytime. I am not sure what to tell you about not getting them mushy--my family loves mushy food. I would say mayve add less liquid to the crockpot recipe if you can, but I am not sure what the recipe is even. Or try not to cook the beans quite as long--that should work I would think.
	Last edited by frugalsteward; 05-26-2008 at 06:26 PM..

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08-17-2008, 08:50 AM	#4 (permalink)
honeydo has no status. VickysDeals Addict 1K Coupoints: (0) Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 1,695 $aved!: 15 Helped 2050 People $ave	Dad always soaked the beans in water overnite.When us kids asked why he said to get the farts out.