A Perfect Pot of Beans

By á-29897

Makes 5 cups

Use this basic recipe to prepare beans for the recipes here. Adding aromatics (such as onion, garlic, and herbs) will flavor the beans and their broth, but leave a neutral flavor for any type of recipe. Kombu (dried kelp) helps reduce beans’ gas-producing properties.

Per Per 1/2 cup:
Calories: 124
Protein: 7 g
Total Fat:

Ingredients

• 2 cups dried heirloom beans, pre-soaked, if desired
• 1/2 onion, peeled, optional
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed, optional
• 1 bay leaf, optional
• 1 strip kombu, optional
• Sprigs of fresh or dried herbs, optional

Preparation

Step 1

Place beans, optional aromatics, and 8 to 10 cups water in large pot or saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil 15 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer pre-soaked beans for 30 minutes; dried beans for 2 hours, or until beans are tender and creamy, adding more water if necessary. Remove aromatics before serving or using beans.