How to Cook With a Bean Pot
Bean pots are clay or ceramic pots used to cook bean-based dishes. Cooking in a bean pot is a time-honored way of keeping beans moist and tender. The clay pot protects the beans from burning, and allows slow cooking which imparts more flavor and encourages a creamy texture. Beans aren't the only type of food that can be cooked in a bean pot. The popular Crock-Pot was originally modeled after the bean pot, simply removing the need for an oven. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Bean pot
- Beans
- Pot for precooking beans
- Seasonings and flavorings called for in your recipe
- Water
- Oven
Instructions
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How to Cook in a Bean Pot
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1
Soak the beans overnight covered in a generous amount of water, changing the water at least once during soaking.
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2
Drain and rinse the beans. Place in a pot and cover with water. Simmer 30 to 45 minutes or until the beans are tender, adding water as needed to keep beans just covered.
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3
Drain the beans, reserving the cooking liquid.
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4
Gather the ingredients for your favorite baked beans recipe. You will also need a clay bean pot and an oven.
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5
Place the drained cooked beans, along with the remaining recipe ingredients in the bean pot. Add enough of the cooking water to cover the beans.
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6
Place the beans in a cold oven and set the temperature for 300 degrees F. Modern stoneware pots can be placed in a preheated oven, but older antique or earthenware pots should never be placed into a hot oven.
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7
Bake the beans for four hours. Check the liquid level in the beans occasionally and add more of the reserved cooking water if needed. Don't let the beans dry out.
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8
Beans can be kept warm in the bean pot with the lid on for several hours
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1
Tips & Warnings
A bean pot can also be used to keep foods cold. Chill the bean pot in the freezer for one to four hours, then place cold food inside. Cover with the lid. Food will stay cold for several hours. This is very helpful when transporting food or for a buffet. Never place hot food in a chilled bean pot.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Photo by fiverings
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Comments
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This is a big help for me. I am going to cook soldier beans from the State of Maine. I have never cooked in a bean pot before, but with this help I know I can. I am doing this for my husband he is from New Hampshire and this was the way his Mom cooked beans.
