I was always kind of afraid of dealing with beans but it's made out to be harder than it is. A can of beans is now approaching $1 US, and I use them quite frequently in soups and chili, etc. Well, a pound of dry beans also costs around $1 US (or $2 US, depending on make and model) - but a pound of dry beans makes roughly about 6 cans' worth of beans. From a cost perspective, it's a no-brainer.
Pictured: my favorite, Navy beans, which have an almost ham-like flavor to them - and they're the cheapest, about $1.29/lb by me at the blue box, I'm sure you could get them cheaper at bulk stores.
Beans need to be kept in the fridge and will go bad if you don't use them in less than a week unless you use salt, so I do. With salt, they keep for up to two weeks, maybe more, I couldn't really say because I use them (also they taste better with salt, obviously).
Easy to make, too. They tell you to meticulously look for rocks, I just don't have time for that. Never ran into one yet. I fill a medium pan with 3-4 cups of water, 1/2 Tbs kosher salt and 1/2 lb (~225g) beans sometime before I go to bed. In the morning, I turn the burner on high until it boils (~7 minutes - be careful, it will boil over) and then turn to lowest setting, put a lid on (slightly cocked) and let them simmer for 2 hours. After that, drain them in a colander and run cold water on them until they lose their heat, put them in a container and into the fridge until you need them in soup or chili or whatever.
Worried that beans can be toxic because you heard that somewhere? That's only bigger beans like Kidney beans and in any case the cooking is what kills the toxicity (boiling for >30m). Small beans like navy beans and red beans you don't have to sweat it at all. In theory you should also drain/replace the water after the soaking to eliminate flatulence-inducing saccharides. I just don't and honestly can't tell any difference, but you may be more or less sensitive than I am.
Enjoy your beans!
Ok here's the thing, I fucking hate beans, BUT I'm wondering if that's because "canned beans."
What's the texture on the fresh bois? Are they as mushy as canned or do they actually have some substance to them?
I hate eating flavored nothing, need some texture, and yes I'm aware I'm likely autistic lmao (goes well with the confirmed adhd too, wouldn't be surprised haha.)
The great thing is you are in control. My navy beans, for example (and you should try them, they have such a great flavor when cooked in salted water as described) - if you don't want mush, just cook them for 1 hour (instead of 2) after the soak. They will be discrete and the skins will be intact and they will be absolutely al dente. I bet you'll dig them.
This sounds perfect actually, I'll try it! A bit al dente is exactly what I'm looking for, thanks!
Awesome. 👍 There's variations in stoves and beans, etc, so if for some reason they're too al dente, just keep cooking in 15 minute increments until you're where you want to be.
Thanks for the tips! I'm no chef so they're all helpful!
I really want to like beans since you can survive off of literally just rice/beans if you have to, so I'm excited to experiment! Flavor is one thing (I could figure out how to recreate the canned ones if need be, I'm sure it's mostly brown sugar) but texture has always been my hold out.
Beans have a huge variety of texture. Some might be mushy, but most probably won’t be quite as mushy as canned AND cooking yourself means you can control the texture as well.
I’m no good with varieties but there are waxier beans out there that maintain texture when cooked. Lots of beans cook up more similar to garbanzo’s in texture but are shaped and taste more like a typical bean. Definitely worth experimenting.
Otherwise, embrace the mush, had me some amazing huevos rancheros this AM. A slightly runny yolk (I like mine over medium), some refried beans and red chili sauce. Was amazing on toast.
I'll continue to search, thanks.
But not embracing the mush lol, tried before, didn't work. At least refried is more of a paste upfront though, it doesn't look like it's supposed to have texture while lying to me like canned beans! Deceptive little canned bastards.