I almost never used to buy dried black beans because I thought it was such a pain to try to cook them.
It’s so much cheaper to buy a big bag at the store vs. canned black beans.
Luckily I have THE MOST INCREDIBLE COOKBOOK IN ALL THE LAND:
Last year, Christopher Kimball came to my town to do a talk and book signing. The above book was one of the books that was for sale (and that I got autographed!).
If you are any kind of cook – I know there are a zillion cookbooks out there, but this one you will reference again and again. I am actually in the process of reading it cover to cover. I think by the time I’m done – it will be the equivelent of going to culinary school!
The reason this book is so awesome is that it tells you WHY you should do something a certain way.
Case in point, cooking black beans.
When I first looked at recipes on line how to make my hard as a rock dried black beans nice and soft – many of them mentioned soaking them overnight. That wouldn’t work, I wanted to make something with them that day!
So I took out this deluxe cookbook and there is a tiny trick that will save HOURS off of cooking them.
What is the secret ingredient you ask? A pinch of baking soda!
I took a big pot of water – sifted through the black beans first, discarding any that were discolored or looked weird. Add the dried black beans to the water and bring to a boil.
Add a pinch of baking soda (like 1/4 tsp), reduce the heat to low, put a top on it and come back in an hour.
I was kind of skeptical I must say – but I tried one before turning the heat off, and it was tender and perfect.
So in an hour I went from dried, hard as a rock beans – to this:
How awesome is that? I’m so happy there is an easier way to cook these than soaking them overnight.
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Who is watching TOP CHEF NEW ORLEANS?
I have a favorite already.
Carlos Gaytan from MEXIQUE here in Chicago.
I worked with his wife for a few years and she occassionally would bring in things he made. So excited to have a connection to one of the contestants. I hope he goes far!
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And in other awesome news. I was asked yesterday if I would like to volunteer for the 3rd annual Chicago Food Film Fesitval in November! Basically, it’s movies from around the world that are food related and diners get to taste foods from that film.
I have no idea what I will be doing, but I don’t really care – I’m doing it! So excited, and you know for sure I’ll take lots of pictures
Here is a poster from it a few years ago.
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And keep coming back – because I have more weight loss success stories on the horizon and I’m checking back in with other people to see how they are doing!
