Pulses quick questions thread.

mardatha

ok thats clear, ta

Caterina

Hi Mardatha,

Lovely to see you, I haven't seen you around lately, but then I haven't posted a lot...

Re. Green lentils, they keep their shape and it takes them a lot longer than the red ones to cook, but they are delicious in soup - also because they keep shape so well they are great in salads and as a "pretend mince" base for veggie bolognese sauce for pasta and lasagne.

Hope you are well!

Love

Caterina

hotcookie101

I am making a Nigel lamb, leek and haricot bean stew thingy tomorrow, which calls for 200g dried haricot beans, soaked overnight (in mineral water)

So-can I soak them in filtered water? Our fridge has a water filter so thats easy-I really cant be bothered to buy mineral water (I know that hard water affects them? Have I heard right?) Does it matter if the water is room temp or cold? And do I leave them out, or in fridge to soak
Can I soak 500g of beans, and cook them for 40mins tomorrow as stated in recipe, then cool and freeze some (am sure I read somewhere on here that I could-will the 40mins be cooked)
I know I cook them without salt, to avoid toughness.

Sorry for all the questions-the last time I used dried beans they were minging so would like to ensure they are edible this time :rolleyes:

Thanks

thriftlady_2

Soak them in tap water. I always do -never heard any different

Yes leave them out on the counter in a bowl (obviously!). I would cook them for longer than 40 mins, at least an hour. Don't worry about cooking times too much just keep them simmering for as long as it takes. The time will depend on the age of the beans. And yes, you can definitely cook the whole packet and freeze them.

hotcookie101

Thanks, I thought it was a bit odd that nigel recommended mineral water-he's not usually that pretentious...
Do i leave them out or soak in fridge?

Penelope_Penguin

hotcookie101 wrote: »

I am making a Nigel lamb, leek and haricot bean stew thingy tomorrow, which calls for 200g dried haricot beans, soaked overnight (in mineral water)

So-can I soak them in filtered water? Our fridge has a water filter so thats easy-I really cant be bothered to buy mineral water

Sorry, this so reminds me of an April Fool thread we had last year, that I had to check the calendar :rotfl:

When you say "nigel" is this Mr Slater I didn't realise that he was such a princess as to need Evian to soak beans

Use tapwater, that's what I'd do :T I soak them in boiling water, and leave in the kitchen overnight. Then cook until tender in fresh unsalted water.

Penny. x

hotcookie101

Penelope_Penguin wrote: »

Sorry, this so reminds me of an April Fool thread we had last year, that I had to check the calendar :rotfl:

When you say "nigel" is this Mr Slater I didn't realise that he was such a princess as to need Evian to soak beans

I know-I was quite confused, just checked kitchen diaries again to make sure I hadn't made a boo boo, but it says "soak the beans overnight in cold water, I use mineral water for this"
Bizarre, his recipes are not usually pretentious... But thats why I wanted to check-I LOVE beans, and cooking them from dried will be cheaper than opening a tin, and hoping I can cook up the 500g and freeze the rest So I cover the beans with boiling water, not cold and leave to soak overnight on the side?

Penelope_Penguin

hotcookie101 wrote: »

I know-I was quite confused, just checked kitchen diaries again to make sure I hadn't made a boo boo, but it says "soak the beans overnight in cold water, I use mineral water for this"

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: I have Kitchen Diaries on my bedside table, so I'll check later

I use boiling water to cover the beans (well cover them, and leave room in the pan, as the beans will swell ) but you can use cold.

Yes, I cook a batch of beans and then freeze what I don't use. You can open freeze them, and then put into a bag (so they free-flow when you need them) or freeze in small batches, so that you can use what you need.

Penny. x

Penelope_Penguin

hotcookie101 wrote: »

I am making a Nigel lamb, leek and haricot bean stew thingy tomorrow, which calls for 200g dried haricot beans, soaked overnight (in mineral water)

So-can I soak them in filtered water?

mardatha wrote: »

Can you make soup out of green lentils, just the same as the red ones ?

As both of these thread have fallen from the front page of OS, I'll add them to the Pulses QQ thread to keep tips together

Penny. x

ukmonkey

I was going to do a beef stew in mine, but I forgot to put the dried "soup and broth mix" to soak overnight. Anyone know a way around this? i.e could I just soak them for a couple of hours, or could I boil them in a pan for a bit then transfer to slow cooker???