The BEST way to cook dry beans!

I cannot believe how quickly the summer went by!  As much as I enjoyed it, I am very thankful to be back at school and our "usual" schedule.  I am so ready to begin baking bread again . . . some how we were so busy during the summer that "quick" meals were the norm.  Last week was the first time I have had my pressure cooker out in months, which means we haven't had dry beans in a while.  I thought I would share with you my dry bean recipe.

For me the quickest, easiest way to prepare beans is in the pressure cooker.  No soaking overnight or cooking all day long.  I can start supper as late as 4 o'clock.


Simply rinse 2 cups of beans and check for rocks, etc.  Place the cooking rack on the bottom of the pot.  Add the beans to the pressure cooker with 3 quarts of water.  Add 2 teaspoons of salt and one onion peeled and quartered.  Place the lid on and slide into lock position.  Place the pressure regulator on top, set the pot on the stove top on high.  When the regulator begins a regular rhythm, I turn down the heat to medium (the regulator at a steady rocking motion) and start my timer.  For black beans - 35 minutes, for pinto beans - 25 minutes.  I follow my instruction booklet for the times of different kinds of beans.  When the timer goes off, I turn the stove off and let the pressure drop of its own accord.  Then I tweek them - see my Black Bean recipe below.

Now I will confess that there have been times when I have been in a hurry (can you imagine - heehee) and I have "encouraged" the pressure to drop faster.  Usually that means I set the pot in the sink and run cool water over it until the air vent/cover lock drops.  But you cannot beat the pressure cooking method for convenience.  I love it!

Black Bean Recipe -

To pot of pressure cooked black beans I add granulated garlic to taste (for me that is a lot!!!), oregano, and about 1/4 - 1/2 cup of Olive oil.  I let this simmer until thick.  Of course, if I can't wait on the thickening I have also been known to help that along with some cornstarch and water :D   Serve over rice.

Frijoles negros as my Grams taught me how to make them - YUMMY!