How to Cook with Dried Beans

A lot of people are intimidated by cooking with dried beans. You see the bags in the grocery store for $.99, but you think, "What would I do with them?" In this post, I'll tell you some yummy, easy and inexpensive ways to cook with these little gems!

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• 1 bag of dried pinto beans
• Water
• A large bowl for soaking
• A crock pot
• One of the following:
• Meaty Ham Hock,
• 6 strips of bacon,
• Italian sausage links,
• Several sprigs of fresh thyme.

1. 1. Soak beans overnight:
   a. Put the beans in a bowl, cover with water, leave out on the counter all night.
   
   b. Quick-soak method: In a large pot, combine 1 lb beans and 8 cups cold water. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer for 2 minutes. Remove pot from heat. Cover and let stand for 1 hour.
2. 2. Cook beans in a crockpot on high for at least 8 hours.
   There are several things you can add to give it wonderful flavor! I've tried all these and they are great!
   
   a. A meaty ham hock or ham bone. Get these in your grocer's meat section
   b. About six strips bacon.
   c. Italian sausage links. Layer them on top straight out of the refrigerator. We had this Wednesday, and it was fantastic!
   d. Meaty beef soup bones
   e. A ham hock, plus several sprigs of fresh thyme. After cooking, the leaves will fall off the thyme, and you can take out the stems.
3. 3. When the beans are almost done, taste them. You may add salt, pepper, garlic, or hot sauce to taste.
4. 4. Garnish with cheese, sour cream, or chow chow relish.

Tips & Warnings

• I usually make 1 or 2 whole packages at a time, then freeze what ever we don't use.
• I also use them in other dishes that week. (ex: Monday: Beans and Cornbread, Tuesday: Chicken and Bean Enchiladas.)
• One bag of $.99 beans usually feeds about 8 people.