Tips on Beans and Brown Rice Preparation
From Bulk Raw Beans to Cooked With or Without Rice
Apr 12, 2009
Once you catch on to the rhythm of preparing beans for cooking, you'll know the benefit of buying organic bulk. You can have a large quantity of bulk rice and beans on hand for a long period of time. And you will be spending less for food while enjoying a very highly nutritional diet. One that can be quite enjoyable as well.
The Beans
There is only one type of beans that don't have to be soaked, lentils. They also cook quickly. Garbanzo beans, kidney beans, and others take around the same amount of soaking time. All bulk raw beans should be rinsed prior to soaking.
Raw black beans, or turtle beans, are harder and take a longer time to soak. But if you start the soaking cycle before you go to bed at night, when you wake up they should be done. Those beans can sit around soaking for days. So you can soak enough beans at one time for several meals.
Soaking the Beans
Some people recommend putting a spoonful of turmeric in the water while the beans soak. This makes the beans easier to digest and minimizes flatulence. When soaked after some hours, the beans will expand and enlarge. So you need to have a ratio of 3 to 4 parts water to one part raw beans. If you can bite into one, they're done. Put a lid on the container with beans and place it in the fridge.
Whenever you are ready to cook some, take out the amount you want to cook and replace the water in which they had soaked. This also is said to minimize the flatulence issue. Make sure you have enough water in the pot cooking the beans. Black beans take longest to cook, maybe twice as long as other beans. So you may need to add water while cooking them.
Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer. Sample occasionally until your sample is soft, but not mushy. Besides adding to rice for a nice beans and rice dish,you can create a nice bean salad with a variety of beans. Be creative with what you add to a bean salad. Just don't use mayo! You could also use garbanzo beans (chick peas) in your normal lettuce salads. They go well with salad dressing.
Cooking Brown Rice
Again, buy organic bulk for the same reasons, healthier, less expensive and you're able to store as much as you can. Also rinse the rice until the water coming onto the sink is clear. Here's a foolproof way to cook brown rice.
Find a pan or pot with a secure lid. Otherwise, be able to place a weight on the lid to keep it from leaking too much steam. Take one cup of brown rice and add one and one-half cups of water. Bring it to a boil, uncovered, then place the lid onto the pot securely. Reduce the heat to bring it to a simmer. Let it go for 20 minutes. Then turn off the stove and let is sit, still covered, for another 15 – 20 minutes.
Enjoying the Taste and Health Benefits
Besides the salad uses, here are a couple of easy, tasty beans and rice combinations that are shared here. Beans and rice give you all the protein you need. You won't have to spend anything for meat and endure those health hazards. In case you may have some doubts about the health benefits, check out this incredible list of benefits from eating black beans here To your good health and pleasurable eating on a slim budget.
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