Originally Posted by
GingerK
I soak them overnight and then simmer for 1 hour, drain, rinse and then make my recipe. For baked beans, my recipe calls for all of the above plus 6 hours in a 300 degree oven after combining with the other ingredients.
Since I learned that adding salt inhibits the beans from softening, I omit it until I am ready to season the dish. Has made a tremendous difference in the time needed.
Ditto what ginger says. I do mine this way too.
Just to put my own past experience into the understanding of a perfect protein statement here. If you serve a legume (bean), starch (potatoes or rice) and a green lettuce (or any green veggie), it is a perfect protein meal. That is a vegetarian substitute for their diet.