waaay out of date dried chickpeas

suered

hi guys

Have come over all hummous-wanting and have 2kg packet of sorely neglected dry chickpeas in cupboard - best before jan 2007:eek::o

Instinct says so what? Am I right?

It also says very helpfully "see your recipe for soaking and cooking times" - am I right in thinking 12 hours soaking and 2 hours boiling?

Thanks!

hannahO_2

If they were kept dry and have not been spoiled then I'd say ok. Even if it has *invisible* surface mold spors, you will be boiling to death anyway. It may take extra time to cook though since they are probably really dry.

suered

Thanks, hannah0 - they are still in original packet and have been in kitchen cupboard the whole time. So if I soak them starting now and cook from midday tomorrow onwards - say 3 hours then? Should they be on the boil the whole time?

sexki11en

If it helps, we ate risotto rice on Monday that went out of date in 2007 :eek: It was sealed and kept dry and dark so we figured it would be OK.

We're still here to tell the tale lol

SK x

lightisfading

i soak overnight, boil them for about 10-20 mins, and then simmer the rest of the time - just until theyre soft, i would guess more like 1-2 hrs. If you have a slowcooker theyre really good for doing beans as they don't use such a ridiculous amount of power for a 'cheap' food lol, and for some reason with me they seem to take *less* time than simmering on the stove. Oh, and don't add salt to the water

suered

:DThanks, both! Have just emptied the whole 2kg packet into giant pan for soaking so I imagine I will be attacking all my neighbours with excess hummous tomorrow......

Paulie'sGirl

Hi,

Could you use the slowcooker to simmer them once they've been brought to the boil? It would take longer, but use less fuel than the hob.

Just a thought,

PGxx

lightisfading

Paulie'sGirl wrote: »

Hi,

Could you use the slowcooker to simmer them once they've been brought to the boil? It would take longer, but use less fuel than the hob.

Just a thought,

PGxx

Oops, I totally forgot to boil the batch of beans i did in the slowcooker today:eek: thanks for reminding me. I'll boil them up again before using them (i slowcook a big batch at a time and freeze / refridgerate for a couple of days depending what I want them for).

suered

Sadly I am slowcooker-less - unless you count a reluctant saucepan.......

suered

:oMorning post-soaking update: Note to self. 2kg is a LOT of dried chickpeas, they expand more than you think and your biggest pot is NOT big enough.......

nearlyrich

suered wrote: »

:oMorning post-soaking update: Note to self. 2kg is a LOT of dried chickpeas, they expand more than you think and your biggest pot is NOT big enough.......

:rotfl:Visions of chickpeas flowing down the street now!

I use out of date dried food all the time they never used to put dates on stuff like that, just a ploy by the food manufacturers and supermarkets to get you to throw perfectly good stuff away.

I have seen questions about whether potatoes are safe to eat after the best before date on here before now:eek: