How do you cook beans?!

[Missi]

Okay, I've never cooked beans before because I think they're disgusting, however I know they're good for parrots. I bought the 15 bean soup mix or whatever. Let the beans soak over night, brought them to a boil, then let them simmer 2 and a half hours but they looked all funny. The skins came off and everything. Is this how they're supposed to look? Ugh I HATE the smell of them, but I'm doing it for Jazzy! I washed them off ater the cook and then served them to Jazzy. She's loving them.

Did I do it right??

[habs71]

Originally Posted by Missi

Okay, I've never cooked beans before because I think they're disgusting, however I know they're good for parrots. I bought the 15 bean soup mix or whatever. Let the beans soak over night, brought them to a boil, then let them simmer 2 and a half hours but they looked all funny. The skins came off and everything. Is this how they're supposed to look? Ugh I HATE the smell of them, but I'm doing it for Jazzy! I washed them off ater the cook and then served them to Jazzy. She's loving them.

Did I do it right??

We give Sydney Soak & Simmer....we soak it about 6 hours..rinse..put on stove..high until it starts boiling..then down to simmer for about 15 minuts..then we add some frozen mixed veggies..let that simmer for about 10 mins.... take off stove....rinse again....into the ice cube trays and that's it.

We looked at the regular bean soup mix but didn't care for all the additives..so we stick with the Soak & Simmer.


Skip

[kimtoo]

you did it right! I sometimes use the bean mix too. I just don't add the seasoning packet. That way the additives are a mute point. I also bake the beans into birdie bread, serve the beans with mixed veggies and fruit, or with whole grain pasta or barley...I try to fix all the same day and then freeze serving size portions of the various dishes so Ican maintain some variety...

[Missi]

Oh okay thanks guys! Do you always have to cook the beans for 2 and a half hours?? I really can't stand the smell! LOL I don't know how many times I heaved when I went into the kitchen to stir the beans....doesn't look the yummiest either

I definitely do NOT add the seasoning packet either. Just plain beans. Before that she was getting her wild rice and frozen veggies mix, and before that her collard greens and mashed sweet potatos. I try to mix it up as healthy as I can for my little girl! Whole wheat pasta and beans...now this is one I'll have to start fixing!

[Monica]

If you want, you could also do the fast cooking technique... I don't like beans either, and I can't imagine trying to leave them soak overnight, so I just use the quick cook method... of course, you can cook them for a little less time so that they are firmer when you feed them. Otherwise though, yeah I agree with the others!

[jimpierce7]

well, I do the quick soak of the beans, bring the water to a boil for a couple minutes then take it off the heat for a couple hours. Then boil them for maybe and hour. I check them as my fids don't like them mushy so they need to be a little under cooked.

Now I learned to cook beans from Mike's manna mash. When he says "1 inch" of water, thats one inch over the top of the beans.

Rinse the beans, grains and rice, then soak them overnight (8 hours or
so) in a large pot, covered with about an inch of water. Do not change the water before cooking as you want to retain as many of the nutrients as possible. In the morning add or remove water as needed to cover the
mixture with about one inch of water. Bring the water to a full boil and boil for 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pot, continue to cook for 20 minutes more. Ideally there will be just enough water to cook the beans, with very little extra.

[svolk]

I do the quick soak method as well, seems to turn out fine everytime I've done it. Yeah, they do look funny though!

[Missi]

Awesome! Thanks to you all! I have several different techniques to try out now Makes it more fun for ME to cook for HER (she eats WAY more healthy than I )

Just got hrom from the grocery store. My next venture is cooking green beans, squash, zuchini, and carrots into some sort of something. I just love going through the produce aisle and grabbing a bit of this and that!

[svolk]

Yep, if I ate as healthy as my birds eat, I would be better off

[jimpierce7]

hehe I do eat what I make for my fids. I am trying out the Crazy corn stuff anf it looks REAL good when its done. I gotta taste it to make sure its ok right?