Bean soakers confab

[Rukh O'Rorke]

I thought smart spending was the best spot for this discussion. Nothing cheaper than a bag of dried beans to plan a meal around.





I have recently conquered cooking beans from scratch, I've tried it on and off for years and years, but finally - I don't buy canned anymore. I was tempted today - but I said no, I will wait 2 days and do my own. One reason I don't want to get the canned beans is because I sprout mine before cooking.

I usually just grab bags, but recently I had some really dirty beans. I've never seen so much dirt in a bag of legume before, I was offended!

Today, I got la preferida and they were nice and clean - just a few rinses, I've got them soaking now.

Garbanzos and Pintos.

For lentils, I've gotten stuck on these tiny lentils from verde valle. they are also soaking. So three pounds for the upcoming week. That usually works out well for us.

If you are a soaker - what brand do you buy? Which varieties, and what do you do with them?

Lentils
I puree some and mix into bread batter
Dahls
soup
sometimes add the raw sprouts to salads - but going to change over to azuki beans for that I think. I've read lentils sprouts are not the best for raw eating.

Garbanzos
Chana masala
thai curry
chick pea salad for sandwiches (use cold cooked chickpeas instead of eggs)

Pinto
chili
taco/burritos/chimichangas
bean dip

So each week, I've been trying to do 3 pounds, and then do 2 or more recipes with each variety. Each recipe is about 4 servings I think, kind of sorta - haven't really kept track. I've been trying to diversify meals away from tofu, which we love, but tofu (and sprouted tofu) is pretty pricey.

And once the beans are cooked and in the fridge, real easy to whip a meal around. Worse case scenario, just serve with rice and side veg....

[Blonde Granny]

If you have beans, rice and veggies.....are the beans and rice flavored? Sound very boring if not.

[Sharon]

Would you please share your soaking technique for those of us haven't quite mastered it yet?

[alabamagal]

I have used dried beans mainly in soups. Just a novice here. We're are not vegetarians, but are trying to eat better and eat less meat. We do a lot of vegetarian chili Emeril's recipe) and it is pretty popular around my house.

We have a Mexican grocery store that has a whole aisle of dried beans. So far I have mostly just looked.

[countrygirl2]

Love beans, cook pintos with hocks or a ham bone. I parboil mine if in a hurry,

it softens them some then cook. If I'm soaking I do it overnight.

I bought a 5 pound bag of black beans I needs to start cooking. If you can find

a place to buy them in bulk, they are usually cheaper. I can't believe your

parents didn't all serve beans in soup of some kind.

Ahh and red beans and rice with polish sausage or just seasoned. Making me

hungry.

This evening I'm making a hamburger pie.

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Mar 11, 2017 14:28:18 GMT -5 Sharon said:

Would you please share your soaking technique for those of us haven't quite mastered it yet?

I rinse well and soak for 24 hours. then I let them "air" for 24 or more for sprouting.

[saveinla]

Rukh,

In addition to lentils and garbanzos, I also sprout mung beans. I make a spicy curry with Tomatoes, red chillies and crushed coconut using the sprouted mung beans. I was taught to pick them first and only then soak them. Some of the lentils that are dark colored have a lot of dirt.

Sharon,

I soak them overnight and pressure cook them if they are not going to be sprouted.

[msventoux]

I rinse the beans, put them in the Instant Pot with some liquid and seasonings, then have beans ready to eat in short order. I've always loved beans but had neither the patience or preplanning abilities to have them very often. I probably make various types of beans 2-3 times per month since getting the electric pressure cooker.

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Mar 11, 2017 15:22:25 GMT -5 saveinla said:

Rukh,

In addition to lentils and garbanzos, I also sprout mung beans. I make a spicy curry with Tomatoes, red chillies and crushed coconut using the sprouted mung beans. I was taught to pick them first and only then soak them. Some of the lentils that are dark colored have a lot of dirt.

Sharon,

I soak them overnight and pressure cook them if they are not going to be sprouted.

I just put some mung and alfalfa to soak for salad sprouts!

I have not done much cooking with mung, outside of stir fries with large store bought ones that are a vegetable. I did read recently that the store bought sprouts are chemically treated to make them large, and so now I am trying to do it myself. I've found they are very versatile, good in salads from day 3 onward.

Maybe I will try a curry with 1-2 day sprouts.

Do you do indian or thai curry with them?
and what is pick them first? are you growing them?

[saveinla]

Its an Indian style curry. WHen I mean pick them - clean them of all impurities. I cannot grow anything

[midjd]

I haven't tried it yet so I can't vouch for it, but I bought lentils today for a meatless sloppy joe recipe I saw on Whole Foods' site. (http://m.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipe/lentil-sloppy-joes). I bought 8 oz of lentils from the bulk bin at Kroger for about $0.50, so if it turns out ok it's a definite money saver (1lb of Laura's Lean Beef here is $6.99).

I was just about to look up how to cook lentils and whether they needed to soak, it has probably been 5-7 years since I've used them... I eat them in Au Bon Pain soups all the time though.

[Opti]

Mar 11, 2017 15:11:26 GMT -5 Rukh O'Rorke said:

Mar 11, 2017 14:28:18 GMT -5 Sharon said:

Would you please share your soaking technique for those of us haven't quite mastered it yet?

I rinse well and soak for 24 hours. then I let them "air" for 24 or more for sprouting.

I am impressed by your industriness. (sp?)

[Happy prose]

I fell so dumb...what is sprouting? I cooked dried beans all the time. My favorite thing to make is chipotle black bean burgers. I also make burgers from the white northern beans. I started buying the bags long ago because the cans are so heavy. I make the burgers on the weekend, and it makes for easy and quick dinner during the week.

[andi9899]

I usually soak mine overnight. I only but pinto beans as I don't like black beans and I don't make anything with garbanzo beans. I make all things Mexican with them as well as chili. I'm actually cooking chili right now. Thing 2 will be surprised when she gets home. I have them boiling right now with a ton of minced garlic.

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Mar 11, 2017 19:52:06 GMT -5 Happy prose said:

I fell so dumb...what is sprouting? I cooked dried beans all the time. My favorite thing to make is chipotle black bean burgers. I also make burgers from the white northern beans. I started buying the bags long ago because the cans are so heavy. I make the burgers on the weekend, and it makes for easy and quick dinner during the week.

they are seeds, and you sprout them. Not sure what else to say about that

[Happy prose]

Mar 12, 2017 11:46:54 GMT -5 Rukh O'Rorke said:

Mar 11, 2017 19:52:06 GMT -5 Happy prose said:

I fell so dumb...what is sprouting? I cooked dried beans all the time. My favorite thing to make is chipotle black bean burgers. I also make burgers from the white northern beans. I started buying the bags long ago because the cans are so heavy. I make the burgers on the weekend, and it makes for easy and quick dinner during the week.

they are seeds, and you sprout them. Not sure what else to say about that

Wow, you're growing your own beans?  An they grow indoors in a pot?

[tcu2003]

I'll cook great northern or navy beans with a ham hock for ham and beans. I just soak them overnight, and then cook them all the next day in the crock pot.

I've also done pinto beans to make retried beans. I've tried it a few times, but can never get it flavorful enough, so I usually just enjoy them out at a restaurant. Every time I've tried them, they're pretty bland so no idea what I'm doing wrong as I've tried several recipes.

[saveinla]

Mar 12, 2017 12:46:44 GMT -5 Happy prose said:

Mar 12, 2017 11:46:54 GMT -5 Rukh O'Rorke said:

they are seeds, and you sprout them. Not sure what else to say about that

Wow, you're growing your own beans?  An they grow indoors in a pot?

Hee is a link on sprouting for beans - www.vegetariantimes.com/blog/how-to-soak-sprout-nuts-seeds-grains-beans

[saveinla]

Mar 12, 2017 17:59:06 GMT -5 tcu2003 said:

I'll cook great northern or navy beans with a ham hock for ham and beans. I just soak them overnight, and then cook them all the next day in the crock pot.

I've also done pinto beans to make retried beans. I've tried it a few times, but can never get it flavorful enough, so I usually just enjoy them out at a restaurant. Every time I've tried them, they're pretty bland so no idea what I'm doing wrong as I've tried several recipes.

tcu - have you tried this one from budget bytes - www.budgetbytes.com/2011/08/not-refried-beans/

[NoNamePerson]

Mar 12, 2017 18:05:08 GMT -5 saveinla said:

Mar 12, 2017 12:46:44 GMT -5 Happy prose said:

Wow, you're growing your own beans?  An they grow indoors in a pot?

Hee is a link on sprouting for beans - www.vegetariantimes.com/blog/how-to-soak-sprout-nuts-seeds-grains-beans

Dang I quoted the wrong post so deleted it! Thanks for this link I did sprouts for years and then started buying them in store. But so many recalls I quit. Now Because of this link I think I will start again.   Have never done nuts though. This is my learn something new for today.  

[tcu2003]

Mar 12, 2017 18:07:39 GMT -5 saveinla said:

Mar 12, 2017 17:59:06 GMT -5 tcu2003 said:

I'll cook great northern or navy beans with a ham hock for ham and beans. I just soak them overnight, and then cook them all the next day in the crock pot.

I've also done pinto beans to make retried beans. I've tried it a few times, but can never get it flavorful enough, so I usually just enjoy them out at a restaurant. Every time I've tried them, they're pretty bland so no idea what I'm doing wrong as I've tried several recipes.

tcu - have you tried this one from budget bytes - www.budgetbytes.com/2011/08/not-refried-beans/

Not sure if I tried that one or not - I know I've at least done a similar one. But thanks - I'll give that one a try next time!

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Mar 11, 2017 15:55:59 GMT -5 Rukh O'Rorke said:

Mar 11, 2017 15:22:25 GMT -5 saveinla said:

Rukh,

In addition to lentils and garbanzos, I also sprout mung beans. I make a spicy curry with Tomatoes, red chillies and crushed coconut using the sprouted mung beans. I was taught to pick them first and only then soak them. Some of the lentils that are dark colored have a lot of dirt.

Sharon,

I soak them overnight and pressure cook them if they are not going to be sprouted.

I just put some mung and alfalfa to soak for salad sprouts!

I used the mung beans in a salad within about 48 hours. They were a little starchy, but all had a nice tail so definitely sprouted. Will see how they taste today.

[Iggy aka IG]

I soak the beans overnight, cook them until tender the next day, then make these:  Not Refried Beans

A shout out to Chocolate Lover for the tip. 

Added:  They freeze well, too.

[Apple]

Thanks for the links for refried beans!  I have tried to make some but haven't had any success in getting the flavor right.  I used one batch to make a soup so they didn't go to waste.

I use pinto beans to make a family baked bean recipe.  Kidney beans get used in chili and sloppy joes.  I'll use a 15/16/whatever mix to make bean and ham soup.

I need to get a good red beans and rice recipe since I've never cooked those before.  Actually, have never eaten "just beans and rice" before.  My son ordered some in a cajun restaurant recently, and they were pretty good, so I'd be more than willing to duplicate that at home.

[Chocolate Lover]

Mar 14, 2017 13:35:13 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

I soak the beans overnight, cook them until tender the next day, then make these:  Not Refried Beans

A shout out to Chocolate Lover for the tip. 

Added:  They freeze well, too.

Not sure if there's anything in the recipe but I do toss a little saved bacon grease in there with them for the flavor. Naturally a vegetarian/vegan won't, but I do.

[Happy prose]

Mar 14, 2017 13:35:13 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

I soak the beans overnight, cook them until tender the next day, then make these:  Not Refried Beans

A shout out to Chocolate Lover for the tip. 

Added:  They freeze well, too.

I read this thread the other day, and today I made these for dinner. Delicious! I rolled it in tortillas, put some salsa and shredded cheddar, and baked for 15 minutes. Better than a mexican restaurant! Next time I'll remove a little more water- a little thin for my purpose. I have half left, so midweek I'll use it in place of meat for tacos. Thanks for posting.

[Chocolate Lover]

Mar 18, 2017 17:17:53 GMT -5 Happy prose said:

Mar 14, 2017 13:35:13 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

I soak the beans overnight, cook them until tender the next day, then make these:  Not Refried Beans

A shout out to Chocolate Lover for the tip. 

Added:  They freeze well, too.

I read this thread the other day, and today I made these for dinner. Delicious! I rolled it in tortillas, put some salsa and shredded cheddar, and baked for 15 minutes. Better than a mexican restaurant! Next time I'll remove a little more water- a little thin for my purpose. I have half left, so midweek I'll use it in place of meat for tacos. Thanks for posting.

I've let them be a little too runny myself, my fix was just simmering them more on the stove (I split mine up to freeze so as needed) and then let them cool a little. They usually thicken up fairly well but I try hard to not need that step.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Mar 14, 2017 13:35:13 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

I soak the beans overnight, cook them until tender the next day, then make these:  Not Refried Beans

A shout out to Chocolate Lover for the tip. 

Added:  They freeze well, too.

Are beans interchangeable? 

I dont don't have any pinto beans on hand at the moment but do have kidney and black beans.  Can I make these "not received beans" with either of those, or should I wait until I get some pintos?

[Chocolate Lover]

To me they're interchangeable. A bean is a bean, it's all about how you flavor them.

[weltschmerz]

Mar 11, 2017 19:52:06 GMT -5 Happy prose said:

I fell so dumb...what is sprouting? I cooked dried beans all the time. My favorite thing to make is chipotle black bean burgers. I also make burgers from the white northern beans. I started buying the bags long ago because the cans are so heavy. I make the burgers on the weekend, and it makes for easy and quick dinner during the week.