For the love of beans... and pressure cookers

Our bulk beans are stored in jars.

Many of us have a tough relationship with beans.  For some, beans are the "magical fruit - the more you eat them, the more you toot!" Others "just don't like them." However, for those of us who don't have issues with beans or can get it past it - they're a rich source of fiber and protein, filling and satisfying.  They're also very inexpensive! I love beans.

You can purchase a can of beans for $1 or less at most grocery stores. There are thousands up thousands of recipes that use beans and they're staples in many countries' cuisines - like Mexico and India.

Some of favorite bean recipes:

Zesty Wheat Berry - Black Bean Chili

Winter Vegetable Dal

Gluten Free Taco Bowl

Pressure cooker singin' while oatmeal is cookin!

However, you can get beans to go even further by purchasing a pressure cooker and buying dried beans in the bulk section of your grocery store or from a co-op like Azure Standard. Modern pressure cookers have safety valves and other features that prevent beans from ending up on your ceiling. Pressure cookers can quickly cook far more than beans - you can save time cooking rice, meats, other grains - there are even recipes specific for pressure cookers.

We have gotten into the habit of only buying in bulk. For example, we will buy 25 lbs of dried black beans from Azure Standard. Those 25 lbs of dried beans equal 100 cans of BEANS!  Plus you don't have the environmental impact of 100 can - from the actual steel can to the coating on the inside of the can and the extra ingredients needed to preserve the beans color and texture/firmness. 

Here's the math:

1/2 cup dried beans = 1 can

2 cups of dried beans = 1 lb (or 4 cans of beans)

20 cups of dried beans = 10 lbs (or 40 cans of beans)

50 cups of dried beans = 25 lbs (or 100 can of beans)

50 cups of dried beans = 100 cans of black beans

This saves you $75 in the long run - which just covered the cost of my pressure cooker and then some.

"But I have to remember to soak the beans!"  Yes.  That is true.  However, if you're using beans in your recipe for dinner, you can soak them when you're working or overnight.  Using the pressure cooker, you can turn your soaked black beans into ready-to-cook beans in just 2-3 minutes - less time than it takes to brew your morning coffee or tea.  It's really a habit you can get into - just like brewing coffee or brushing your teeth.  Check your recipe for the evening and put the amount of beans you need into a bowl and cover with plenty of water.

Toot! Toot!