Steaming Beans: Rice Cooker Magic

Cooking beans in a rice cooker is an easy, no-fuss method to prepare any amount of dried beans. It is a simple process that involves soaking the beans, adding water, and cooking them in the rice cooker. The rice cooker's steam function can be used to cook the beans, and it is important to ensure that the beans are thoroughly soaked and that the water level is sufficient during cooking. By using a bay leaf during cooking, you can also help break down the hard-to-digest oligosaccharides in beans, making them easier to digest. This technique is perfect for those who want to cook beans in bulk and store them in the freezer for later use.

Pinto beans can be cooked in a rice cooker

Yes, you can cook pinto beans in a rice cooker. It's a simple, no-fuss method to cook any amount of dried beans. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Soak the Beans

First, sift through the beans to remove any debris. Then, cover the beans with warm water and let them soak for at least 4 hours or overnight. This step is important as it helps to remove any impurities and improves digestibility. Remember to discard any beans that float to the surface.

Step 2: Transfer Beans to Rice Cooker

After soaking, drain and rinse the beans. Then, transfer them to your rice cooker's inner pot. The general rule of thumb for the water ratio is 1 cup of beans to 2-3 cups of water. However, it's recommended not to cook more than 2 cups of beans at a time in your rice cooker to avoid overflow.

Step 3: Add Seasonings (Optional)

At this point, you can add seasonings to enhance the flavour of your beans. A bay leaf is a great option as it aids in breaking down hard-to-digest oligosaccharides, making the beans easier on your tummy. You can also use cumin, epazote leaves, or kombu (a sea vegetable) for similar effects.

Step 4: Cook the Beans

Use the Steam or Porridge function on your rice cooker and let the beans cook for one cycle. Depending on your rice cooker, this could take around 2 hours. When the cooker beeps, check the water level and add more if needed. Then, run it for another cycle. You can end the second cycle halfway through if the beans look tender.

Step 5: Drain and Serve

Once the beans are cooked to your desired tenderness, simply remove any seasonings like the bay leaf, drain the beans, and they're ready to use! Remember not to add salt at any point during the cooking process, as it can prevent the beans from softening.

Canned beans are already cooked

While you can eat canned beans straight from the can, they are likely to be quite salty, so it is recommended to drain and rinse them before eating or cooking with them. You can also roast them by drying them on a tea towel before putting them in the oven.

Canned beans are a great option for a quick and easy meal as they are reliable, cheap, non-perishable, and versatile. They can be used in a multitude of dishes, including hummus, tacos, stews, and chilli.

Dried beans should be soaked overnight

However, it is not necessary to soak beans overnight. If you are short on time, you can cook beans without any pre-soaking at all. Beans that have not been soaked will always take longer to cook, but they will still cook. If you are making a soup, cooking beans from dry can be preferable because the liquid they are cooked in becomes a delicious broth, removing the need for boxed stock.

Bay leaves can be added to beans to aid digestion

Yes, you can steam beans in a rice cooker! It's a simple, no-fuss method to cook any amount of dried beans, and it's easier on the stomach without any bean bloat.

• Soak your dried beans in the rice cooker overnight with 3 cups of water.
• In the morning, drain and rinse the beans, then put them back in the rice cooker with 4 cups of fresh water and 1 bay leaf.
• Turn on the rice cooker for one cycle. When it's finished, check the water level and run for another cycle.
• Remove the bay leaf, then drain and rinse the beans.

In addition to bay leaves, you can also add other spices to your beans to help with digestion and flatulence. These include cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, cloves, allspice, and fennel.

You can cook rice and beans together in a rice cooker

Yes, you can cook rice and beans together in a rice cooker. This is a perfect option for an easy, hands-off dinner, as everything cooks at once.

To cook rice and beans together, simply add all the ingredients to your rice cooker and hit start. The cooking time will depend on your rice cooker, but it should take around 25 minutes on the white rice setting. You will need to use canned or pre-cooked beans, as the rice cooker won't cook long enough to cook dried beans.

If you want to add extra flavour to your rice and beans, you can use vegetable broth instead of water. You can also add in various seasonings, such as cumin, bay leaves, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, and cilantro.

If you want to cook dried beans in a rice cooker, you will need to do this separately before adding them to the rice. Soak the beans in water for at least four hours or overnight. Then, drain the beans and add them to the rice cooker with fresh water. Cook on the "porridge" setting for around two hours, or until the beans are tender.

Frequently asked questions