Red beans have a bad reputation.beans are a filling treat when they're made right, instead of being the bland, uninteresting food they are often described as.A cup or two of red beans can be turned into a first-class meal with a few easy recipes.beans cost a fraction of what meats and certain other vegetables do, so you'll be doing it for cheap.
Step 1: Put the beans in a container and wash them.
You can find dried beans at your local grocery store.You have to do a little more work before you can cook them.Start by pouring your beans out on a flat surface and looking for any that are discolored.If you find any small rocks, discard these beans.Drop your beans into a strainer and rinse them under water.It helps to remove dirt particles that you missed.The process for cooking beans is the same no matter how much you cook.The rest of this section assumes you're cooking beans, which will feed a lot of people.
Step 2: You can soak the beans overnight.
Drop your beans into a large stove pot, cover them with an inch of water, and put them in the fridge for the night.They will absorb some of the water by the next day.They may appear wrinkled.This is normal.It's always a good idea if you have time.Allowing the beans to soak will shorten their cooking time, help them cook more evenly, and make them easier to digest.There's no nice way to say that soaked beans cause less flatulence.
Step 3: The beans must be brought to a boil.
Pull your beans out of the fridge, drain them, and re-cover them with water if you let them soak overnight.Transfer your beans to the stove if you didn't soak them.The water will reach a moderate boil.Adding a dash of vegetable or olive oil will keep the water from boiling over.As soon as you start heating the pot, add the garlic, onions, and other optional ingredients to the water.
Step 4: Allow the beans to cook.
The heat should be turned to "low" as soon as the beans reach a boil.The boiling should stop.Stir slowly.The beans should be left on the stone with the lid on to allow steam to escape.
Step 5: After about an hour, start checking for doneness.
It takes a long time to cook dry beans.You may stir the beans occasionally, but don't expect them to be done before an hour or so.After it has cooled, you can check the beans by taking one in your hands and crushing it.Don't eat beans that are raw.This can cause a temporary problem similar to food poisoning.The beans aren't done if they are a little crunchy.You want beans that are soft and smooth.Be patient.A bunch of dry beans can take up to four hours to cook.They will cook unevenly if you crank up the heat.
Step 6: When the beans are tender, add some salt.
Add a small amount of salt to the water as soon as you notice the beans start to lose their crunch.The beans will have a pleasant taste.Before this point, make sure you don't add salt.Adding it before the beans break down will shorten the cooking time and make them cook differently.
Step 7: Cool to store the beans.
The beans should be tasted every 10 to 15 minutes.When the beans seem to have a soft texture, they're ready to eat.Keep the beans in their liquid if you serve them in the fridge.You can drain some of the liquid if you think the beans are too watery.Leaving the beans in their cooking liquid helps maintain their texture and flavor.It can be used as a base for soups.
Step 8: The beans should be prepared for cooking.
It is possible to cook in a pressure cooker.The stove top process is basically the same as this one.If you have time, you can cover the beans with water and let them soak overnight.
Step 9: In the pressure cooker, put beans and water.
Add the beans to the pressure cooker if you soaked them overnight.Add the beans directly if not.The beans should be covered with about an inch of water.Do not fill the cooker more than halfway.
Step 10: To high pressure.
Put the pressure cooker on the stove over high heat.To maintain the pressure, reduce the heat to low.If you use an electric pressure cooker, set it to high pressure.Before securing the lid, add garlic and optional vegetables.
Step 11: It's a lot quicker to cook a meal.
The pressure cooker cooks beans very quickly.Between 22 and 30 minutes of cooking time is what most recipes call for.After about 20–22 minutes, you may want to adjust the cooking time.When the beans are done, you can drain and rinse them.
Step 12: Check to see if the beans are plain or not.
Compared to dry beans, canned beans are a mixed bag.Some cans have beans that are not "plain" except for the preservative fluid.Some cans have beans in them.Some cans have beans that are meant to be eaten on their own.You should check the label for the type of beans you have.If you are unsure about how to use canned beans, look at the back of the label.Sample recipes and serving suggestions will be included.
Step 13: It's a good idea to rinse beans.
A clear, slimy brine is what canned beans come in.This works well for keeping them fresh and safe to eat, but it can taste artificial.The only way to get rid of this gross substance is to pour the contents of the can into a strainer and rinse them with cold water.
Step 14: The beans can be cooked in a saucepan or microwave.
All you have to do is heat them up.Add a small amount of water to the container you're heating the beans in if you use plain beans.If you're using beans in a sauce, you can heat them in their liquid without any work.You should heat the beans in a microwave-safe container like a ceramic or glass bowl, rather than a metal or plastic one.You can cook a can of beans-in-sauce directly in its can if you're camping.Simply open the top of the can and place it over the fire.If your fire pit has a metal grate, you can balance the can on a rock near the edge of the fire.It will get very hot.
Step 15: Add plain beans to other recipes.
It's easy to use canned beans in other recipes since they are already cooked.The beans should be added at the end of the cooking process so they don't overcook.canned beans are usually used for cold recipes.There are a few recipes that you can use red kidney beans in.You can interchangeably use cooked dry beans or plain canned beans.
Step 16: It's possible to make red beans and rice.
This is a classic Southern dish.To make a meal that's satisfying on its own, you have to combine the beans with the rice.For a true Deep South feast, you can serve gumbo, jambalaya, or spicy sausage.
Step 17: Try to make chili.
The most famous recipe for using red kidney beans in the world is this popular, spicy stew.chili can be served in many different ways.Pair it with a serving of cornbread for a classic American frontier dish or use it as a vegetarian treat.If you're using dry beans for this recipe, you should cook them until most of the way done on their own, then transfer them to the chili pot with the liquid ingredients.They can't cook over or under.Near the end of the cooking process, add canned beans.
Step 18: Try to make bean soup.
All you need to make bean soup is beans, water, and your favorite vegetables and seasonings.Sausage, chicken, beef, and other meats can also be used for a classic combination.There is no "right" way to make bean soup.You can get started with this recipe.You can add the other ingredients to the pot if you're using dry beans.A can of diced tomatoes is a great addition to almost any bean soup.It will turn the greyish water into a pleasant brownish-orange for the presentation.
Step 19: It's possible to make a cold bean salad.
Can you give me a few different types of canned beans?For a salad that's low in calories and high in fiber, toss them together with a little olive oil and salt.Adding chopped red onions, tomatoes, and corn to the bean salad is a good idea, but it's usually not as good as it could be.
Step 20: You can make a bean dip or hummus.
It's easy to make a bean dip out of red kidney beans.Just add the beans with a little salt, pepper, and olive oil to a food processor and pulse until you have a creamy spread.If you're going for a more "hummus-y" taste, add a little tahini and lemon juice.Before serving, add cayenne pepper and parsley.