Cooking Dry Beans – An Easy Delicious Method

Beans are simply wonderful―full of flavor and texture. Great sources of fiber, complex carbohydrates, and protein, too. An oh-so satisfying addition to a whole-foods based way of eating!  This is my all time favorite way to cook and eat beans.  They are YUM!

The Parsons Method of Cooking Beans

Heat oven to 300F.

1.  Rinse and drain one pound of beans, and add to an oven-proof pot (cast iron, clay Dutch oven, etc are good choices.)

2.  Cover beans with 3 inches of cool water; add 1 tsp sea salt, and any other seasoning you wish―onion, garlic, basil, bay leaf, cumin, curry, etc.

Note from Karen:  I start with 2 cups dry beans which yields about 4 cups cooked.  I add 2 large onions, 6-10 cloves of garlic, cumin, tumeric, 3 bay leaves, pinch cayenne pepper and sea salt.

3.  Bring to a boil on the stove top.

4.  Cover, transfer beans to the oven and bake, stirring occasionally, until done―usually 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on the type of bean.

If you want beans to be separated and light, cook them in lots of water.

Beans are done when they are tender through to the center. Another test―blow on the bean. If it wrinkles, it’s usually done (but taste to be sure.)

Halve or double this recipe, adjusting salt and seasonings accordingly.  I freeze them in 1-2 cup portions for use later.

Inspired and adapted from How to Read a French Fry by Russ Parsons.

Sweet potato soup is one of my favorites to make this time of year.  Please see “Creamy Butternut Squash Soup” under Recipes/Soups for one of my favorite recipes that will warm you up this winter.

They are full of ZINC.  

Eating Pumpkin Seeds is like taking a good multi-vitamin. Pumpkin seeds have anti-inflammatory compounds that help fight arthritis; they’re a very good source of magnesium, manganese, and phosphorus; a good source of iron, copper and protein; and can even help lower cholesterol.  Pumpkin seeds are important for bone health and those with osteoporosis.

Eating a handful of raw pumpkin seeds three times a week is commonly recommended. 

Pumpkin seeds are perhaps best known in ancient Mexican culture where they have been used for thousands of years before Christ.

Most likely, the ancient Mexicans benefited from the pumpkin’s best attribute without even knowing it…

Prostate health!

Modern research has revealed that components in pumpkin seeds (the oil in particular) interrupt the onset of cell multiplication in the prostate.This cell multiplication is what leads to an enlarged prostate.

Adapted from online article at www.haacres.com

Summer Delight
Blend well:
6 peaches (without seed)
2 handfuls of spinach leaves
2 cups water

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compliments of Dotty Sharp at consciousdwellings.com