Beans

By bersbear

Ingredients

• 16 ounces of dried beans
• Salt
• Water

Preparation

Step 1

To prepare the beans, start by picking through the beans carefully, looking for small pebbles or clumps of dirt. Then, rinse thoroughly.

To soak, put the dried beans in a large, heavy pot and add enough water to cover the beans by a few inches. Leave at room temperature overnight, or for at least 4 hours.

After soaking, drain the beans and discard the soaking water. Add fresh water in an amount roughly double or triple the volume of beans. If you like, you can add half a chopped onion (or a combination of chopped aromatic vegetables, such as onions, celery, and carrots). Bring the water in the pot to a simmer and cook the beans, uncovered, until tender. Depending on the type of bean and its freshness, the cooking time can range from 35 minutes to well over an hour. Sample four or five beans to ensure doneness.

Season with salt in the last 10 to 15 minutes of cooking time, when the beans are nearly ready. Enjoy the beans on their own or incorporate them into your favorite bean-centric dish. Drain the beans you don't use within a day or so and freeze in quart-size freezer bags.