Cooking dried beans

[bessie26]

Last night I put the dried beans I'm having for lunch in to soak. This morning I rinsed them, and put them on to boil for 10mins as stated on the packet. What I didn't notice was that it said to boil them UNCOVERED. I boiled mine COVERED (I always put the lid on to reduce the amount of steam in the kitchen)

Does this really matter? Can the beans tell I left the lid on? It just seemed strange for the packet to specifically say whether or not they should be covered!

Because DD2(9m) is going to be eating them, I've boiled them again UNCOVERED (and am now doing the simmering bit), but it would be useful to know for next time.

For some reason (I'm not sure why, never really thought about it, anyone know?) beans cooked uncovered remain firmer and more bean like than the same beans cooked covered which tend to go less firm. So if you're going to mash them up refried beans style then covered is good, if you're going to eat them in a bean salad uncovered.

It's not a safety thing, the toxins don't know.

If they are coveted they'll cook quicker id expect. which fits with uncovered being firmer. Lid keeps the steam in.

GlaikitFizzog Ah I guess the time taken for the toxins to go (10minutes at boiling) is seperate from the cooking time, so 10minutes on a fast boil (uncovered) vs a slightly less boil (covered) makes sense, thanks.

Thanks!

Does isn't depend on the type of bean? I thought that only the red kidney beans need the FAST 20 min boil. I would give a baby the white haricot or borlotti bean.

The lid off is to stop them boiling over onto the cooker isn't it? i'd boil fast no top then half on for the gentler simmer type boil IYSWIM

ppeatfruit these were black beans & the 10min boil/30min simmer is what it said on the packet.

They sound fine but be a bit careful (don't give the baby too many!!) you may find problems in the nappy area!!

Don't worry, she's had plenty of beans before, (i am veggie, we all eat loads of beans & lentils) it was just I had never cooked dried ones before!

I'm a demi vegan so also am used to beans but oddly DS cooked a black bean dish a week ago and both DD and I had rather loose results the next morning!! it could 've been the vegan marshmallows i suppose They were lovely and we ate quite a few of them!!
I don't know if you've tried cooking white (haricot beans)from dry they're nice made into any dishes and I make a lovely hummous with them (I don't eat chickpeas).

I cook a lot of dried beans - always uncovered for the initial rapid boil 10 mins so that I can skim off any froth. Then I simmer them covered for the rest of the time. What I don't do is set too much faith in the packet cooking times. I cook them all for about 30-40 mins after the rapid boil and then give them a bite test. I had a pack of chickpeas not so long ago that advised 'simmer for an hour and a half'.... they were fine after 40 mins.