ISO - Help with Dry Beans

[sam111]

Question 1

I am curious why one needs to soak dry beans first other then the fact that it takes about 15 min to 30 min less time to cook if you soak.

Is there some hazard if you don't soak them first.
If there is not a major deal then I don't see why one would take the additional time to do it since it is not like quick.

Question 2

I have seen guidelines saying that it is like a 1:3 ratio for dry beans
like a pound of dry beans would equal 2 cups so you would need 6 cups of water for every pound.

But then have seen other sites claim to be more like rice a 1:2
So I am confused which method works best for the cooks professionals ?
(or maybe it doesn't matter as long as you regulate the time and temperature.)

Note I am cooking in a covered pot on the stove not pressure cooker or crock pot. (though a covered pot is similar in principle to pressure cooker just not as time efficient )

 

[jabbur]

I've never NOT soaked the beans. While it's not quick it is easy to put them in a pot the night before and let them soak while I sleep. Then in the morning I can throw the ham bone and onions and bits of ham into the pot and cover with chicken broth and let them cook most of the day. I use a crock pot but my mom always did them on the stove top. Just make sure you keep the flame on the low side and check the liquids so they don't dry out. I use 2 quarts (8 cups) broth for a pound of beans.

 

[forty_caliber]

Here is an authoritative source on how to cook beans

Cooking Beans | Central Bean

.40

 

[Addie]

The reason for soaking overnight is to ensure that the very center of the bean is cooked through. Nothing like that nasty little bite in the center of the bean to ruin your meal. Even though most folks and recipes give you the ratio of water to amount of beans, the main thing is to make sure you keep the beans covered with liquid at all times starting with the soaking.

Start soaking your beans around 6 p.m. Keep an eye on them right up until you go to bed. Give them one last check to make sure they are covered completely with liquid. When you get up in the morning, add more water if needed. After you have your coffee, take care of the kids morning needs, then you can start your beans cooking. Only during the last hour after testing for doneness, can you let the water level drop.

 

[Zereh]

I'm not a bean soaker. I read about the method here and have used it with a 100% success rate ever since.

Cover the beans with water in a cast-iron dutch oven and salt them, bring to a boil on the stove top. Cover and cook in a pre-heated 250F oven for 1 1/2 - 2 hours until done. Black beans, navy, pinto, garbanzo, etc. all work splendidly.

 

[sam111]

Ok I see

Last question on this quote

Even though most folks and recipes give you the ratio of water to amount of beans, the main thing is to make sure you keep the beans covered with liquid at all times starting with the soaking.

So does that mean as long as the beans are fully under water at all times thru out the soaking and cooking that will do. So ratio's of water to beans don't mean anything like it does with rice's 1:2.

If so does that hold for all types of beans leaving out lentils , split peas ,...etc just navy , pinto , kidney , chickpeas (garbanzo beans) , white beans ....etc

Because if that is the case I am just going to fill a lot of water in a pot and wing it ... i.e not measure like I do for rice.


Also I would imagine when the beans are done it won't be like rice where the water is totally evaporated you will have to strain... but curious if one could get the right ratio of water so the water would totally evaporate like cooking rice ?

 

[Cooking Goddess]

I've always soaked my beans overnight since it's supposed to help eliminate some of the enzymes that cause gas. And as Addie pointed out it also insures the center of the bean isn't hard, although it appears a few other methods eliminate that concern.

...So does that mean as long as the beans are fully under water at all times thru out the soaking and cooking that will do. So ratio's of water to beans don't mean anything like it does with rice's 1:2....Because if that is the case I am just going to fill a lot of water in a pot and wing it ... i.e not measure like I do for rice.

Also I would imagine when the beans are done it won't be like rice where the water is totally evaporated you will have to strain... but curious if one could get the right ratio of water so the water would totally evaporate like cooking rice ?

Actually, Chef Sara Moulton says you don't have to measure the rice and water, just fill a 2-qt pot with water, bring to a boil and dump a cup of rice into it, and boil for 15-17 minutes or until rice is tender. Then you dump it like you would had you cooked pasta. I haven't tried this recipe yet since Himself likes our rice cooker.

 

[Whiskadoodle]

I use a quick soak method. Cover beans with water. Bring to a boil. Turn off heat. Cover and let rest one hour. Drain. Replace the water with cooking liquid and proceed per the recipe.

I would start with an overnight soak if I would plan that far ahead.

 

[Andy M.]

Lentils and split peas don't get pre-soaked. Just cook them in the recipe. IF I soak beans overnight, I drain them and add new water. That should be measured so the recipe will come out right.

 

[buckytom]

it helps if you put the beans in the fridge...

anyone?

 

[Steve Kroll]

Actually, Chef Sara Moulton says you don't have to measure the rice and water, just fill a 2-qt pot with water, bring to a boil and dump a cup of rice into it, and boil for 15-17 minutes or until rice is tender. Then you dump it like you would had you cooked pasta.

This is the traditional European way of cooking rice. I do it this way most of the time because it's easier. There's no measuring and you can take the pot off the stove at the exact moment of doneness, rather than waiting until the water has all been absorbed (at which point it may actually be overdone).

Back to the bean question. Soaking isn't mandatory, but it does help ensure that the beans soften completely through when they are cooked. If I'm planning ahead, I always soak them overnight. However, there have been times I've felt like making beans at the last minute and have cooked them without soaking. If you don't mind a little bit of firmness in the texture, it works fine.

I've heard the stories about soaking helping to reduce gas. I can vouch for the fact that it doesn't seem to make a whole lot of difference. At least not for me. Beans, like many other nutritious foods, simply have a tendency to induce gas. Is that so bad, though? I would think that it's when your body stops producing gas you should worry.

 

[sam111]

Ok so then what does have to be cook with a specific ratio to come out correct or what the majorities preferences is.

In terms of beans , rices , split peas , lentils ,quinoa ,...etc

If you are saying rices doesn't need to be cooked with the ratio if you don't care about straying the water after and it will still tasted as good.
Then what about the other stuff Legume based foods.

What I am getting at is how flexible are you with the water ratio's provided you regulate the temperature and time in cooking? ( and don't mind straining when done)

The only thing that comes to mind is when cooking split peas I would imagine you would make the consistency much different if you used more water or less.

 

[Andy M.]

The amount of water used to soak beans isn't important as long as they stay covered with water. Once you drain the beans and combine them with the other ingredients in a recipe, the amount of water does matter as it's full of the flavors from the beans and all the other ingredients in the pot. If you drain off the flavored water, you're taking flavor out of the finished recipe. The other option is to continue cooking to boil off excess water. In that case you are overcooking all the other ingredients resulting in a mushy mess.

So measure.

 

[sam111]

how about for the other Legume based foods any ratio's you must follow to come out alright?

 

[Andy M.]

how about for the other Legume based foods any ratio's you must follow to come out alright?

If you're using a good recipe, follow it.