Guest guest Posted September 12, 2008 Report Share Posted September 12, 2008 I am very interested in eating as a vegan. I'm interested for health and morality reasons. However, and this will sound silly, I have a real problem cooking beans. They either come out too hard or too mushy and they take too long to prepare. I am a mom who has to work full-time so I can't spend a long time cooking. Any advice on how to cook beans and not take hours would be greatly appreciated. (or is there a way to slow cook with a crockpot or something so they can cook while I'm at work or asleep? If so, is it safe to leave a crockpot unattended?) I'm also not great a cooking rice, so advice on how to cook rice would also be appreciated. Thank you, Daisy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2008 Report Share Posted September 12, 2008 Hi Daisy, I am certainly no expert on beans, at least not yet. With any device that generates heat there will be a small risk if left unattended, but slow cookers are designed for that and I have done it many times. I've moved to using a pressure cooker, though. It is my primary tool for cooking. There is a Pressure Cooker that has been very helpful. One might be a little leary of having a pressure cooker after hearing the stories of them splattering food all over the ceiling. The *old* cookers did do this. The newer pressure cookers ("PC"s) have more safety releases built into them. I chose a stove top version because I also want to use it when I van camp. While waiting for it to come to pressure I stay at the cooktop, not wanting any distraction from ensuring I miss the indicator and forget to set the temp down to the maintenance temperature. There are also automatic PCs now that you can put the food into, set the settings, and let them cook. They even have a variety of pre-set settings, for example, for rice. Two reasons for a PC: 1. It cooks a LOT faster. 2. It helps retain the nutrients. Example time savings: REGULAR PC brown rice 1 hour 15-20 mins wild rice 1 to 1 1/2 hour 22-25 mins Daisy asked: How do you cook beans and/or rice? I am very interested in eating as a vegan. I'm interested for health and morality reasons. However, and this will sound silly, I have a real problem cooking beans. They either come out too hard or too mushy and they take too long to prepare. I am a mom who has to work full-time so I can't spend a long time cooking. Any advice on how to cook beans and not take hours would be greatly appreciated. (or is there a way to slow cook with a crockpot or something so they can cook while I'm at work or asleep? If so, is it safe to leave a crockpot unattended?)I'm also not great a cooking rice, so advice on how to cook rice would also be appreciated. .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2008 Report Share Posted September 12, 2008 I cook my beans in the crockpot overnight. I use one pound of beans and add water to about 2 inches over them and cook on low all night. You can check out the directions here http://homecooking.about.com/library/weekly/blcrocktips.htm. Check out the fatfree vegan site for some other crockpot recipes. I work f/t too and it's great to come home and have dinner ready and waiting on you! I also use a rice cooker for my rice. I got one at Costco for about 30.00 and it has a timer and everything. I love it!KathyOn Fri, Sep 12, 2008 at 12:54 PM, grl212 <grl212 wrote: I am very interested in eating as a vegan. I'm interested for health and morality reasons. However, and this will sound silly, I have a real problem cooking beans. They either come out too hard or too mushy and they take too long to prepare. I am a mom who has to work full-time so I can't spend a long time cooking. Any advice on how to cook beans and not take hours would be greatly appreciated. (or is there a way to slow cook with a crockpot or something so they can cook while I'm at work or asleep? If so, is it safe to leave a crockpot unattended?) I'm also not great a cooking rice, so advice on how to cook rice would also be appreciated. Thank you, Daisy -- Kathy HesterThe major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair. -Douglas Adams, Mostly Harmless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2008 Report Share Posted September 12, 2008 slow cooker is definitely the tool for you... i put mine in in the morning and leave on hi all day 8,9,10 hours or more is good... use plenty of water... inch and a half or two inches from the top is good. remember seasonings tend to intensify in a slow cooker... Russ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2008 Report Share Posted September 13, 2008 Do you soak the beans before slow cooking? Thanks. Shen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2008 Report Share Posted September 13, 2008 Always Do you soak the beans before slow cooking? Thanks. Shen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2008 Report Share Posted September 13, 2008 You don't need to soak the beans. Here is McDougall's recipe. The beans turn out fantastic.:http://www.drmcdougall.com/pdf/mme_lesson_10.pdf--- On Fri, 9/12/08, nina92116 <nina92116 wrote:nina92116 <nina92116Re: Re: How do you cook beans and/or rice? Date: Friday, September 12, 2008, 6:57 PM Always Do you soak the beans before slow cooking? Thanks. Shen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2008 Report Share Posted September 13, 2008 I’ve just watched the McDougall Made Easy DVD and Mary just dumped her dry beans into the crock pot with onion and seasonings, water 2” above the level of the beans, and cooked overnight on low, or 6 hours on high. She didn’t soak them. That’s the method I was going to try. These were pinto beans — with such a long cook time I wouldn’t think you’d need to soak. What do you all think? Anna On 13/9/08 9:57 AM, " nina92116 " <nina92116 wrote: Always Do you soak the beans before slow cooking? Thanks. Shen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2008 Report Share Posted September 13, 2008 Yes, that’s the one I was referring to! Can’t wait to try it. Anna On 13/9/08 11:14 AM, " ann h. " <annhett wrote: You don't need to soak the beans. Here is McDougall's recipe. The beans turn out fantastic.: http://www.drmcdougall.com/pdf/mme_lesson_10.pdf <http://www.drmcdougall.com/pdf/mme_lesson_10.pdf> --- On Fri, 9/12/08, nina92116 <nina92116 wrote: nina92116 <nina92116 Re: Re: How do you cook beans and/or rice? Friday, September 12, 2008, 6:57 PM Always Do you soak the beans before slow cooking? Thanks. Shen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2008 Report Share Posted September 13, 2008 What size crock pot is this recipe for? - Coop Friday, September 12, 2008 9:20 PM Re: Re: How do you cook beans and/or rice? Yes, that's the one I was referring to! Can't wait to try it.AnnaOn 13/9/08 11:14 AM, "ann h." <annhett > wrote: You don't need to soak the beans. Here is McDougall's recipe. The beans turn out fantastic.:http://www.drmcdougall.com/pdf/mme_lesson_10.pdf <http://wwwdrmcdougall.com/pdf/mme_lesson_10.pdf> --- On Fri, 9/12/08, nina92116 (AT) sbcglobal (DOT) net <nina92116 (AT) sbcglobal (DOT) net> wrote: nina92116 (AT) sbcglobal (DOT) net <nina92116 (AT) sbcglobal (DOT) net>Re: Re: How do you cook beans and/or rice? Date: Friday, September 12, 2008, 6:57 PM Always Do you soak the beans before slow cooking? Thanks. Shen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2008 Report Share Posted September 13, 2008 I would use caution with any new brand of slow cooker. My old one didn't cook that hot on high, but the new one I got cooks very high. I have to use low if I am leaving in all day, and warm if I am doing oatmeal. the low setting is a high for my cooker I think. Alia - " Russell " <russp85 > slow cooker is definitely the tool for you... > i put mine in in the morning and leave on hi all day > 8,9,10 hours or more is good... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2008 Report Share Posted September 13, 2008 If you're like me and don;t have wither a pressure cooker or a slow cooker, you can try this method which doesn't require overnight soaking. Clean your beans, fill pot with beans and water to cover at least 1-2 inches. Bring to hard boil, boil at least 15 minutes. Turn off heat and leave for 1 hour. Change water, cover beans with fresh water and whatever seasonings you like, cook till beans are tender (timing greatly depends on the type of beans, lentils, black eyed peas cook quickly. But using this method even chickpeas cook in about 2 hours) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2008 Report Share Posted September 13, 2008 , " Russell " <russp85 wrote: > > slow cooker is definitely the tool for you... > i put mine in in the morning and leave on hi all day > 8,9,10 hours or more is good... > > use plenty of water... inch and a half or two inches from the top is > good. > > remember seasonings tend to intensify in a slow cooker... > > Russ > can you put bigger dry beans (pintos, kidneys, etc.) in the morning in the crockpot like this? i usually soak mine overnight and cook on low. of course lots of times i forget, then use the " boil method " (boil for 2 min, turn off, lid on for 1 hour, rinse, cook till soft) it would be great if i could skip this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2008 Report Share Posted September 13, 2008 Higins, Crockpot seems to handle any bean just fine. Here is the recipe I like. 1 bag white bean (northern beans, navy beans) 1 small handful of red beans or black beans or pinto beans. Seasonings to taste (curry powder, pepper, salt, garlic, cumin, onion) Water (fill crockpot to within 2 inches of top) I love the flavor of white beans, and the handful of other beans gives the dish a little color and a small flavor boost! Russ , " sanq.higgins " <sanq.higgins wrote: > > , " Russell " <russp85@> wrote: > > > > slow cooker is definitely the tool for you... > > i put mine in in the morning and leave on hi all day > > 8,9,10 hours or more is good... > > > > use plenty of water... inch and a half or two inches from the top is > > good. > > > > remember seasonings tend to intensify in a slow cooker... > > > > Russ > > > > can you put bigger dry beans (pintos, kidneys, etc.) in the morning in > the crockpot like this? i usually soak mine overnight and cook on low. > of course lots of times i forget, then use the " boil method " (boil for > 2 min, turn off, lid on for 1 hour, rinse, cook till soft) it would be > great if i could skip this! > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2008 Report Share Posted September 14, 2008 How do you cook beans and/or rice? Posted by: "grl212" grl212 grl212 Fri Sep 12, 2008 9:58 am (PDT) ..............I'm also not great a cooking rice, so advice on how to cook rice would also be appreciated. Thank you, Daisy Without exaggeration, this is probably the best way (in the world) to cook rice! Use brown rice. 2 cu rice 3 cu water Soak rice in tap water for an hour. Drain the rice (in a colander) for an hour. Add drained rice to a large enough pot, and add the 3 cups of water to it. Place on stove, and heat on high until it just starts to boil. Lower heat to a very low simmer, and cover the pot. Cook for additional 40 minutes. (Do not lift the cover, even for a short peek). Remove from heat, leaving the cover on. (No peeking). Let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes (that time isn't critical, but stay close to it). Scoop the rice out of the pot into a bowl, gently separating the grains, allowing the rice to cool. Be careful not to crush the grains. Hint: The rice will cool much faster if you cool the bowl in a freezer while the rice is cooking. This takes time, but you will find it is worth it. Norm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 15, 2008 Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 Many of the members have answered your question about beans. I usually soak mine before putting in the crokpot overnight. As for rice. A friend of mine recommended cooking in the crockpot. I tried that and it was to mushy. My current method is to cook it in the oven in a tightly covered pot/dish. 350 degrees for 2 hours, 1 part brown rice and 3 parts water.(by the way the cook time and the extra water help to break down the starches). I make a big pot on Sunday and freeze it in 1 cup bags. As a working mom myself, I find cooking and freezing some staple items on Sunday helps to make the rest of the week run smoother. Nicole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 15, 2008 Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 Hi Daisy, I'm a working mom who does the family's cooking too, so I empathize with you. Most of the replies were about crockpots, which are great but a lot of the time I don't even have the energy for that! So, I have four words for you: Canned Beans Rice Steamer Canned beans aren't as cheap as dry of course, but they're ready to go when you are, and they are always the " right " done-ness. I usually stock up when they are on sale. I usually rinse mine first to get some of the salt out. You can throw them in the slow cooker w/veggies & spices, too - just cook on low. If I have any leftovers from the can, I just freeze them in a ziploc for later use. A rice cooker (aka rice steamer) costs about $15-20 (sure you can spend $100 on one but my little $10 one works fine and I've had it 13 years). Most come w/an insert that makes them work to steam veggies too. Put in your rice & cooking liquid, push the button, get busy w/the rest of dinner & in about 20 minutes you'll have perfectly done rice. I usually rinse my rice & put it in the cooker the nite before; that way all I have to do is push the " on " button when I walk in the door after work! Best of luck in adopting the vegan way of eating! -mm , " grl212 " <grl212 wrote: > > I am very interested in eating as a vegan. I'm interested for health > and morality reasons. However, and this will sound silly, I have a > real problem cooking beans. They either come out too hard or too mushy > and they take too long to prepare. I am a mom who has to work full-time > so I can't spend a long time cooking. Any advice on how to cook beans > and not take hours would be greatly appreciated. (or is there a way to > slow cook with a crockpot or something so they can cook while I'm at > work or asleep? If so, is it safe to leave a crockpot unattended?) > > I'm also not great a cooking rice, so advice on how to cook rice would > also be appreciated. > > Thank you, > > Daisy > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 My husband bought me a fry daddy steamer/cooker that has directions in it for cooking rice. Also cooking and making casseroles (not by recipe, it gives you several options for each step so you can create your own casserole) its the only way I have made successful rice. He bought it for deep frying foods, the rice is about the only thing I make in it. Christina " As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them. " Psalms 127: 4-5a " Lo, children are an heritage to the Lord; and the fruit of the womb is his reward. " Psalm 127:3 -- Sent from my T-Mobile Sidekick® Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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