Something I have been trying to do for quite some time is eat less animal protein and save money. One way of doing this is to eat beans. No problem except I can’t ever get them to cook properly. I don’t ever get them soft enough so they are hard and crunchy. Yes, I know I’m not letting them cook long enough but I followed the directions and they should have been done by then. I was hungry and needed to feed my family.
After several failed attempts I would give up. After some time, I would desire to eat less meat and more beans and try it again. Fail. And so it has gone off and on for about nine years. Nine years people! Any sane person would have given up by now but I’m not sane. By golly I was going to figure this out!
My success started about six months when I was having lunch at Best Friend’s. She had made ham and beans the night before and we were partaking in the leftovers. I hadn’t had ham and beans in years (because I didn’t like them) but was feeling adventurous so I had some. Oh.My.Goodness. These were the best ham and beans I had ever had. They were flavorful and yummy and I ate every bit of it. (I refrained from licking the bowl which was a miracle).
I had to have her recipe. She gave it to me and I think I made it like the next day. Success! Hubby loved it and requested it again after we ate up that batch. Since then ham and beans have become a favorite of ours (well the kids haven’t quite jumped on board but they’ll get there. I hope.)
Then I discovered Squawkfox the other day. Between Best Friend and Squawkfox my life has been forever changed. Best Friend because she had the tools to start me on bean success and Squawkfox for her wonderful posts on beans – Ten Reasons Soaking Dried Beans can Change Your Life, How To Soak and Cook Dried Beans, and How To Soak Dried Beans: Your Questions Answered.
All I have done this week is soak, cook, and freeze beans. Black beans, black eyed peas, and Northern beans. My freezer is getting plentiful and looks yummy! The best thing about it is that hubby informed me they taste better than the canned beans. Woohoo! I am finally getting somewhere!
I love the fact that I have readily available protein without having to eat meat. I’m not going to quit eating meat (hubby wouldn’t allow it) but it’s nice to mix things up a bit. Besides, not only can I substitute the beans for meat but I can use the beans as a side dish.
Thank you Best Friend and Squawkfox. You are forever my heros.
Photo source: sara.atkins
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi there! Another great tip for beans: pressure cooker. I soak them the night before (or you can pre-soak them in the pressure cooker) and then cook. Cooking times are very fast–about 9 minutes for black beans on high pressure.
Your blog looks great–I saw it on Christina Katz’s blog. Happy eating!
O wow! I’m so happy my beaneriffic posts have helped you so much! Wowwy! I love writing about the wonders of beans and am always thrilled to find another keener beaner! Thank you so much for the mention and happy soaking!