Cooking Tips: How To Quickly Cook Dry Pinto Beans
When we are faced with a bunch of dry pinto beans and want to cook them quickly, is the soaking time important, or are there tricks in the cooking process? Let's deeply study the methods for quickly cooking dry pinto beans.
Is there a faster way to cook pinto beans?
Pressure cooker cooking method for pinto beans:
First, wash the pinto beans, pick out the bad ones, put them in the pressure cooker, add an appropriate amount of water so that the water surface is 2 to 3 centimeters above the beans. Then add a small spoonful of salt and a little cooking oil to prevent foaming. Cover the pot lid. After the steam builds up, turn to low heat and cook for 15 to 20 minutes. The high pressure of the pressure cooker enables the pinto beans to quickly absorb water and become fully cooked, shortening the cooking time.
Cooking method for pinto beans after soaking in hot water:
Put the pinto beans in a bowl, pour in enough hot water and soak for 1 to 2 hours to let them absorb some water. Then put the soaked pinto beans in the pot and add enough water. After bringing the water to a boil over high heat, turn to medium heat and cook for 10 to 15 minutes until the pinto beans become soft. This method of soaking first and then cooking makes the pinto beans cooked faster than traditional cooking with cold water.
Can you cook dried pinto beans without soaking?
Yes.
If cooked directly without soaking, the cooking time will be extended. You can directly put dry pinto beans into the pot and add enough water. The water level should be much higher than the beans because dry pinto beans will absorb a large amount of water during the cooking process. Add an appropriate amount of salt and a little cooking oil, and then bring the water to a boil over high heat and then turn to low heat and simmer slowly. Usually it takes about 1 - 2 hours. During this period, stir from time to time to prevent the beans from sticking to the pot. Although this method does not require soaking, it takes a relatively long time. And if not enough water is added, it may lead to the beans not being fully cooked or being cooked dry.
Can a microwave quickly cook dry pinto beans?
A microwave oven can quickly cook dry pinto beans.
First, wash the dry pinto beans and put them into a large bowl that can be used in a microwave oven. Add plenty of water and make sure the water completely covers the pinto beans. At the same time, you can add a small spoonful of salt and a little cooking oil. Salt can add flavor and cooking oil can reduce foam.
Then place the bowl in the microwave oven and heat on high power for 10 to 15 minutes. If it is not soft enough, continue to heat on high power for a few minutes. Check after each heating until the pinto beans reach an appropriate softness. This method uses the rapid heating characteristic of the microwave oven to make the pinto beans absorb water and start to soften in a relatively short time.
How well should dried pinto beans be cooked?
In terms of appearance: When the skin of the pinto beans becomes smooth without wrinkles and the shape of the beans becomes plump and round, it is almost cooked. If you gently press a pinto bean with a spoon or chopsticks, it should be easily crushed, indicating that the inside has also been cooked and softened.
In terms of taste: Cooked pinto beans should be soft and glutinous and have no hard core. This degree of softness allows the pinto beans to better absorb the flavors of seasonings. Whether used to make pinto bean soup, stews, or as a side dish, it can have a good taste and flavor.
How much water should be added to cook dried pinto beans?
Cooking dry pinto beans in an ordinary pot: The water should cover the pinto beans by 3 to 4 centimeters. Because dry pinto beans will absorb water and expand when cooked, enough water can keep the pinto beans covered by water all the time, so that they are heated evenly, and it can also prevent local scorching and allow water to convection to help cook the pinto beans.
Cooking in a pressure cooker: The water just needs to cover the pinto beans by 2 to 3 centimeters. Because when the pressure cooker is working, the internal pressure can make the water and heat better enter the pinto beans, and there is less water evaporation, so you don't need to add too much water.
Cooking in a microwave oven: The water should completely cover the pinto beans and there should be excess water. Because the water evaporates quickly when heated in a microwave oven, enough water can avoid the pinto beans being dried before being cooked. During the heating process, stir and check appropriately. If there is not enough water, add it in time.
Why won't dried pinto beans soften?
Cooking time issue: Dry pinto beans are hard in texture and have little moisture. A short cooking time means they cannot fully absorb water and heat and are thus difficult to soften.
Water quantity issue: Dry pinto beans need to absorb a large amount of water during cooking. If there is not enough water, they cannot absorb enough and it is difficult to soften. Therefore, more water must be added.
Cooking method issue: Different cooking tools and methods affect the softening of dry pinto beans. If methods such as simmering on low heat or using a pressure cooker to allow them to fully absorb water are not used and only simple heating is done, the pinto beans may not soften.
