Back to Basics: Black Beans

If you find you are cooking more because you are sheltering at home, it’s time to add black beans to your shopping list.  You can buy these beans already cooked in a can, but they are also available uncooked in 1-pound packages.  Sometimes they are sold loose in bins.

How much would you pay for the convenience of cooked beans?

Consider this:

One 15-ounce can of cooked black beans equals almost 2 cups of beans and can cost anywhere from about 79 cents (on sale) to $1.25. 

One cup of dried black beans equals 3 cups of black beans when cooked. A 1-pound package (2 cups) of dried beans costs anywhere between $1.25-$1.99, although I recently saw them for 77 cents a pound, sold loose in a bin.  

Canned beans or beans cooked by you will last for about a week.  To keep beans from spoiling, freeze any excess.

To cook dried beans, you can soak them overnight in a pot of cold water.  Drain and add new water so that the beans are fully immersed.  Cook, covered, for about 1 hour over medium-low heat.  The beans should stay covered in water while cooking.  Check every 30 minutes and add more water, if needed,  

If you prefer not to soak the beans first, the cooking time will be 2 – 2 ½ hours.  Be sure to check that the beans continue to stay covered with water while cooking.

What can you make with black beans?  Here are a few suggestions:

Vegetarian Black Bean Soup

Black Bean Lasagna 

Black Bean Tortillas

          For easy recipes, order "Help! My Apartment Has a Kitchen!"