Bean cooking help desired.

[The Heretic]

I have a bunch (as in pounds and pounds) of Pinto beans I am trying to use up by using them in making chili. My problem is that I can't make them soft as I would like to. I soak them overnight and drain the water, then I soak them again during the and drain the water, then I cook them alone and drain the water, and still they are not as soft as I would like (should be able mash them with a spoon).

What am I doing wrong?

 

[Raina]

I usually soak them overnight then drain them. Then I let them cook in a crock pot set to low all day. They always turn out yummy!

 

[Guest]

I have a bunch (as in pounds and pounds) of Pinto beans I am trying to use up by using them in making chili. My problem is that I can't make them soft as I would like to. I soak them overnight and drain the water, then I soak them again during the and drain the water, then I cook them alone and drain the water, and still they are not as soft as I would like (should be able mash them with a spoon).

What am I doing wrong?

You can make them soft. And they are not as soft as you would like? I don't see any problem in the beans. It's you.

 

[Sillyman]

I would throw the little vomit-inducing fart fuels out the window, but that's just me.

 

[morninggirl5]

Soak them once overnight. Drain them and cook in fresh water. Cook them slowly, either in the crock pot on low or a very slow simmer for a minimum of 6-8 hours.

 

[marksgirl]

The trick to soft beans is cooking them long(all day) and on med. heat adding water as needed. Do not add salt etc...until they are soft before serving.

Got my black-eyed-peas in hand for New Years Day!

 

[The Heretic]

I would throw the little vomit-inducing fart fuels out the window, but that's just me.

I like chili on cornbread - it is one of my staple foods, but the beans never come out as soft as in store bought chili. I know I should use red beans, but I am trying to use up these pinto beans.

They do swell up and absorb the water, but they should be mushy after a night of soaking then a day of cooking - but they aren't.

 

[ksmybuttons]

I was talking to a friend about cooking beans and eating them and the ensuing gas they create while they ferment in the bowel. She suggests putting them in a pot, add your herbs and spices of choice, 1/2 cup of oil (the secret ingredient) and then just boiling the hell out of them until they are the consistancy you desire. No pre-soaking, no pre-planning. I think it is worth a try.

 

[Guest]

 

[The Heretic]

Soak them once overnight. Drain them and cook in fresh water. Cook them slowly, either in the crock pot on low or a very slow simmer for a minimum of 6-8 hours.

I do soak them overnight, and I do cook them in a crock pot, but that doesn't do the trick. I found that it works better if I cook them in the crock pot on high, but it can take quite some time before they soften (like several days in the pot).

 

[Raina]

Several days in the pot!? Wow. How soft do you want them?

Maybe you should just buy a can of refried beans and throw it in your chili.

 

[The Heretic]

I was talking to a friend about cooking beans and eating them and the ensuing gas they create while they ferment in the bowel. She suggests putting them in a pot, add your herbs and spices of choice, 1/2 cup of oil (the secret ingredient) and then just boiling the hell out of them until they are the consistancy you desire. No pre-soaking, no pre-planning. I think it is worth a try.

All the recipes I have read warn against cooking them with anything before softening them: "Beans must be softened completely before combining with sugar and/or acid foods. (Note: Sugar and acid have a hardening effect on beans and will prevent softening)."

Also: "Soaking in water, if desired, should be completed before boiling. Discard water after soaking or boiling."

 

[morninggirl5]

I do soak them overnight, and I do cook them in a crock pot, but that doesn't do the trick. I found that it works better if I cook them in the crock pot on high, but it can take quite some time before they soften (like several days in the pot).

Are you adding seasonings to them when you start cooking them?


Are you stirring, lifting the lid of the crock pot?


ksmybuttons may have a possible solution, too. I know my grandmother cooked pinto beans on Saturday before i left to come home and i know she didn't soak them overnight. She cooked them in the pressure cooker though.

 

[freakygirl]

Is it possible that your beans are old?

I never pre soak beans before cooking them.. and never have a problem with them not getting soft enough. (but then maybe my "soft" is different than yours )


I just put the beans in a large pot.. add water to cover and boil them. I add more water as needed while they are cooking.

 

[The Heretic]

Several days in the pot!? Wow. How soft do you want them?

As soft as the beans that come in store bought chili; I should be able to take a fork or spoon and mash the cooked bean - but I can't - the bean squishes and is technically soft enough to eat, but not as soft as I would like

Maybe you should just buy a can of refried beans and throw it in your chili.

Well, not quite that soft.

 

[The Heretic]

Is it possible that your beans are old?

Yes they are old (that is why I am trying to use them up), but they should still soften shouldn't they?

 

[Sillyman]

soak, boil, soak, boil.

 

[The Heretic]

Are you adding seasonings to them when you start cooking them?

No, not at first. I usually cook them overnight before adding the fixings.

She cooked them in the pressure cooker though.

I have heard a pressure cooker is good for cooking beans - maybe I should get one.

 

[Guest]

How old? Petrified? That could explain your dilemma.

 

[freakygirl]

Yes they are old (that is why I am trying to use them up), but they should still soften shouldn't they?

Hell if I know.. LOL


Maybe old stale beans never get soft.

 

[freakygirl]

http://home.aol.com/keninga/ckbeans.htm

http://co.essortment.com/drypintobeans_rjtr.htm

http://www.southernnewmexico.com/snm/chukcook.html (scroll down about half way.. talks about OLD pinto beans)


Hope these help