Dried beans, crockpots, stovetop, sprouting, and cooking questions.....

[RebeccaC]

Ok so I am going to take the dive and start cooking up my Y2K beans :mellow: However I have never ever cooked beans from the dried state before. My beans are in huge glass jars and have been in my basement for years and years, since fall of 99 :rolleyes: Have no idea what I would have done with these beans if Y2K had been real.

So how much beans do I cook 2 or 4 cups...more?
How much water do I add?
How long in the crockpot?
Does lemon juice really cut the gas and if so when do I add the juice?
Could I use vinegar in canned peppers in place of lemon juice?
What spices, seasonings, veggies can I use and what should I avoid using with beans?
What about tomatoes? In the back of my mind there is something about adding them only after the beans are cooked is this true?
What kind of meat can I add and when do I add it?
How do I sprout the beans and does sprouting change the flavor and cooking times?
Is it just read beans that are mixed with rice?
What do I do with any leftovers?


Any other bean info would be nice. I thought I would start with pinto beans but I also have 50 or 60lbs of kidney beans as well as pinto beans and a few lbs of white beans and black beans.

TIA,
Rebecca

[beansprouts]

So how much beans do I cook 2 or 4 cups...more?


Depends how much you want. One cup of dried beans will yield 2 - 3 cups cooked. Two pounds of dried beans is enough to fill a large crock pot. My family of 5 will eat about 1 1/2 pounds in a meal.


How much water do I add?


Start by soaking. Add at least twice as much water as there are beans.


How long in the crockpot?


I use the crockpot last after the beans are already boiled to tenderness in plain water. Let them go all day with your other ingredients and they absorb all the flavors and come out very tasty.


Does lemon juice really cut the gas and if so when do I add the juice?


Lemon juice while soaking aids in fermentation, but is optional. The fermentation is what neutralizes the phytic acid and cuts the gas. Soak your beans in water for at least 24 - 48 hours or until the water gets bubbly. You can use a squirt or two of lemon juice or whey but you don't have to.

Sprouting works also, but I haven't tried it for boiled beans.


What spices, seasonings, veggies can I use and what should I avoid using with beans?


Whatever you want - after the beans are cooked and tender. To cook I use plain old water, though the ladies here tell me salt is okay. Simmer in a covered pot for 90 minutes to 2 hours. After this you can put them in your crock pot and add all the yummy stuff.


What kind of meat can I add and when do I add it?


Depends what you are making. I have used chicken, ground meat product and sausage. In general I try not to use meat in my bean dishes because it adds flavor and expense but no nutrients to the meal. I do use bone stock (usually chicken) with the beans and there is plenty of protein. However, sausage does add nice flavor to things like lentil stew and black-eyed peas. This last time I made lentil stew I used a couple of dashes of Tabasco instead and it was very yummy :001_smile:

How do I sprout the beans and does sprouting change the flavor and cooking times?

To sprout beans, soak overnight, then drain in a colander. Rinse the beans with water 3 - 4 times a day for up to 4 days and they will sprout. Can't answer the other questions because I don't usually do this for beans. (Sprouts are for salads :D)

Is it just read beans that are mixed with rice?

You can mix any beans with rice. Be creative!

What do I do with any leftovers?

You can freeze leftover beans.