Black beans can take a surprisingly long cooking time, but those little bombs of flavor are completely worth the effort. All you'll need to make these treats are: a sturdy pot, boiling water and, of course, some black beans.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Wash the beans
Step 1. Divide the dried beans
Analyze them and remove any stones, damaged beans and foreign materials. Generally this should be a very simple task, as most packages are free from imperfections, but it is always best to make sure.
You can replace dried beans with canned ones. If so, simply wash them in a colander and pour them into the pot. Heat them to medium-high heat while stirring them. Canned beans don't need to be cooked, just reheated
Step 2. Soak the dried beans in cold water
Soaking will make them softer in cooking, reducing the time needed to cook them, and reducing the dispersion of nutrients (in addition, it favors the reduction of complex sugars on the outside of the beans, responsible for the formation of intestinal gas). Pour the dried beans into a large bowl and cover with the water. Make sure there is enough liquid to completely cover them. Soak the black beans for at least four hours.
If you have the opportunity, leave them to soak overnight, the cooking time will be greatly reduced
Step 3. Rinse the beans
After rinsing the soaked beans, pour them into a large pot or Dutch oven about 4 liters in size. If you have opted for a saucepan, choose a sturdy and heavy one.
Part 2 of 3: Cook the beans
Step 1. Add water to your chosen pot
It should be enough to submerge the beans about 2-3 cm. Turn on a medium-high heat.
If you wish, add a tablespoon of seaweed, for example kombu seaweed, to reduce the possible flatulence caused by the beans
Step 2. Turn on the heat, bring the water to a boil and cook for 2 minutes
Step 3. Reduce the intensity of the flame and simmer the beans
The water will have to simmer so slowly that it is almost completely still. Depending on the use you want to make with your beans, cook them in a covered or uncovered pot:
- If you want your beans to stay firm, for example to eat them in salads, don't use the lid.
- If you plan to add them to a soup, stew, burrito, or other dish that makes them fluffy, cook them covered but leave the lid slightly ajar.
Step 4. Check the beans often during cooking
After passing the first hour of cooking, start testing its softness. Depending on the age of the beans, this will take about 1 - 2 hours. When cooked, remove them from the heat, pour them into a colander, and serve them.
Part 3 of 3: What To Do With Beans
Step 1. Make delicious vegan burgers.
Although the terms "vegan" and "hamburger" are generally not combinable, black beans can make for authentic and delicious vegan meat substitutes.
Step 2. Try a Cuban recipe
The classic Cuban black bean soup recipe will warm you up even during the coldest days; do some research on the web.
Step 3. Add black beans to a spicy Mexican-style tomato sauce
There is nothing quite like a hearty plate of black beans in gravy.
Advice
- After cooking them, you can freeze the beans in small portions and use them as needed.
- Add some salt or spices of your choice to give your beans an extra boost and enjoy them as a side dish.