and on that topic, how do you prepare "fresh" beans? Not canned? In the bag beans?

I tried to rinse and soak overnight and then I cooked for 2 hours and they were still hard as a rock. My friend makes it look so easy and says it's so easy but she won't teach me. Who does this? help! Beans are amazing for you.

Wed. Nov 28, 3:00pm

I just soak them overnight or a few hours if rushed for time..than put them on to boil.

I dont add salt untill closer to them being cooked.

I also use a pressure cooker.. cooks them faster and makes them tender.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007, 4:51 PM

slow-cooker!

I just rinse the beans, then put them in my slow-cooker with enough water to cover them about 2" deep. I usually leave the cooker on low while I'm away at work and when I come home 10 hours later, they're done.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007, 5:38 PM

I do it exactly the way the OP said it didn't work for her! The second poster also is right: no salt till the end. But I just boil 'em regular in a pot on the stove, and it takes an hour or two depending on the type of bean (or less if it's lentils).

Wednesday, November 28, 2007, 5:40 PM

I've also heard (but haven't tried) that if you change the water every hour or so while they're soaking they won't give you gas. I've never tried it though because then you can't soak them overnight.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007, 6:12 PM

Do you live at altitude? My sister does (8000 ft), and she says the only way anyone can get beans to cook is by using a pressure cooker.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007, 7:18 PM

What kind of beans were you cooking? I had that trouble once with white (cannelli) beans and my boston baked bean recipe was cruncy and got tossed. WIth pinto beans, I've never had trouble soaking over night and cookingh the next day - no problem with 7 bean or 13 bean bags of mixed beans. My mom says sometimes you just get a really old bag of beans. Try another bag, soak over night, but maybe cook for 4 hours. let us know what happens.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007, 7:56 PM

And as has been said, don't add salt until the beans are soft. Salt toughens beans. Ditto tomato sauce.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007, 11:53 PM

one more thing: those beans aren't fresh -- they're dried. you can occasionally find farmers who will sell you actual fresh beans, and they're MARVELOUS.

Thursday, November 29, 2007, 8:17 AM

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