Help with dry beans

[ummu_moussa]

I used dry (white) beans for the first time; I usually use the canned, but I thought it was more economical to try the dry beans.  I soaked them overnight and then I made a stew with them.  By the time the stew was done, it was almost completely filled with empty skins and a lot of the beans had broken apart.  Did I miss a de-skinning process, or did I simply overcook the beans?

[kara_thrace]

I would think they are overcooked.  That's what happens when I overcook other beans.

[maisah]

Kara is right, you overcooked the bean, when that happens you have mush left and just the skins. When you soak the beans over night you are sofening them up and you do not have to cook them as long. Next time you make them try cooking them on med to med-lo heat even a lil simmer til they get soft then place them in a cold bath to stop the cooking and cool the off, once that is done you can skin them by placing the bean in your hand between your thumb and index finger and lightly squeeze the bean out of it skin....

[RobotLady]

Yes, when they are mush they were overcooked.

I have good luck by cooking beans in a pressure cooker.  First I boil them for 1 minute and let them soak 1 hour to soften the skins (that's the alternative to soaking them overnight - I usually forget to do it the night before).  Then I cook them in the pressure cooker.  Then I use them in the recipe - just until heated through.  Sometimes I freeze them after cooking so they are ready to use in the recipe.

[practicingislam]

over cooked sis but i love em over cooked

;)

[practicingislam]

over cooked sis but i love em over cooked

;)

[tyandlukesmom]

I've done that too and they are overcooked but still taste pretty darn good.