Jeff Kirby

author

The Basics

Jeff Kirby’s Recent Comments

  • Click here to view comment in original post

    For softer beans...

    Accessing pedantic cooking nature....

    According to Russ Parsons (food guy at the LA Times and a wonderful food resource) and the folks over at eGullet.com, the three (no...four) main things that can cause beans to never soften are:

    Hard water (very possible with well water)
    High altitude (not likely "at the edge of the ocean..")
    Old beans.  (Aren't you glad I didn't say "has beans?")
    Adding the acid (vinegar or tomatoes, e.g.) before the beans are soft.

    As for salt, I always add the salt right up front so that the whole bean is infused with salty goodness, and I've never had a problem.

    Thanks for the recipe - looking forward to trying it.

    JeffOn Beans, beans, good for your recipe posted 2 years, 8 months ago 14 Responses

View All
Advertisment
Advertisment