I love Burritos. I also love the ease and convenience of quick-cook meals.

After doing some hefty research in the Mexican Foods section of my local grocer I discovered that it is possible to rehydrate black beans by...

a. letting them soak "overnight"

or

b. boiling them for 2 minutes and then letting them sit for 1 hour

Question: At what temperature will the bean-soaked-in-water run the risk of becoming a bacterium's beach-front resort and casino?

Basically, what I'm looking to do is soak the beans for as long as is necessary durring the night/day and then add them to an inviting Lipton side dish (ie: NOT Teryaki Noodles). So, there is a likelyhood that they'll get boiled/simmered as part of the Lipton cooking process.

It still takes a while to cook them. Better off buying canned black beans and dehydrating them.

They dehydrate very easy and then when you're ready to cook them just toss them in with the Lipton side and add just a little extra water depending upon how many beans you add.

It still takes a while to cook them. Better off buying canned black beans and dehydrating them.

They dehydrate very easy and then when you're ready to cook them just toss them in with the Lipton side and add just a little extra water depending upon how many beans you add.


That's not really an option at this point...hmmm....how long would you say it would take to cook these fully rehydrated beans?

Fantastic Foods dry black refried beans. Grocer. Health food store in bulk.

Also, I fart a lot.

That is all.

Read this about the danger of raw or undercooked beans themselves: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~mow/chap43.html (http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/%7Emow/chap43.html)

This doesn't answer your question, but I eat a lot of dried beans at home. When soaking them, I rinse them a couple of times and then bring them to a boil, drain, boil again and leave them covered. Once cool, I put them in the fridge overnight. I then drain them again before cooking. This prevents them from causing GI gas.

Here's the answer to your question:

http://foodsafety.cas.psu.edu/showit.cfm?record=24

Subject - Soaking beans before cooking
QUESTION - Is there a food safety concern about soaking dry beans overnight before cooking? Is the fast soak safer than the long soak? ANSWER - It is possible that vegetative pathogenic microorganisms if present could grow to harmful levels. However, the high temperatures required to cook the beans would be sufficient to kill them. Spore forming bacteria or toxins produced by bacteria might survive the cooking process.

To be on the safe side, it would be advisable to use the quick soak method: Bring water and beans to a boil, cover and boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand 1 hour. Drain and further cook.

Or simply soak the beans in the refrigerator overnight.

you can order black beans and other veggies already dried from harmonyhousefoods.com

Even after soaking all day I don't know if they are "fully rehydrated". If you try to eat one even after this soaking it is still very hard.

I cook more pintos than black beans from scratch, but probably 2-3 hours.

Is buying dehydrated beans an option? The harmony house stuff is very good. The way you're planning has a number of negatives including: the amount of time and fuel that it takes to cook them, carrying the water that the beans are soaking in around all day.

But, it can be done and the positive is extra good beans.

Even after soaking all day I don't know if they are "fully rehydrated". If you try to eat one even after this soaking it is still very hard.

I cook more pintos than black beans from scratch, but probably 2-3 hours.

Is buying dehydrated beans an option? The harmony house stuff is very good. The way you're planning has a number of negatives including: the amount of time and fuel that it takes to cook them, carrying the water that the beans are soaking in around all day.

But, it can be done and the positive is extra good beans.


Also, I didn't do enough research before starting this thread.

In reality I was looking for a little punch for my burritos that wouldn't require that much extra work. You've listed the negatives of dried beans. To me, the negatives of the harmony house stuff is that I have to plan. Well, you saw how quickly I launched into the whole bean thing without really delving into it...do you really think I'm going to order the lowly bean from somewhere?

OK, joking aside: Thanks for the advice. Back to the drawing board.

Sorry to be a bummer

I love Burritos. I also love the ease and convenience of quick-cook meals...

I have used these for three years now, I believe they are the best.

Just my thoughts on "easy and convenient".

http://products.maryjanesfarm.org/pfoshop/product.asp?dept_id=229&ProductID=41001

http://products.maryjanesfarm.org/pfoshop/product.asp?dept_id=229&ProductID=41002

http://products.maryjanesfarm.org/pfoshop/product.asp?dept_id=229&ProductID=41004

Plenty of choices for your "gas"tric pleasure.:sun

Also, I fart a lot.

That is all.

http://www.halfbakery.com/idea/Fart_20Combustion#1075136400

harness that energy

Even after soaking all day I don't know if they are "fully rehydrated". If you try to eat one even after this soaking it is still very hard.I've noticed the same thing with most vegetable food. Carrots, radishes, potatoes, corn on the cob, cabbage, etc etc. You can soak them all day and they are still very hard.

Maybe they need to be cooked to get soft.

Also, I fart a lot.

That is all.


Try Beano (http://www.beanogas.com/)... helps digestion.

So is your trail name related to the above statement? <g>

I like trail burritos made from the Fantastic Foods powdered refried or black beans. Some cheese, some salsa, a tortilla or two -- mmmmm.

The thing with dry beans is that you have to soak them for a long time, and then cook them for a long time after that. It's not really trail-friendly. The Harmony House beans look like a good option.

I love Burritos. I also love the ease and convenience of quick-cook meals.

Basically, what I'm looking to do is soak the beans for as long as is necessary durring the night/day and then add them to an inviting Lipton side dish (ie: NOT Teryaki Noodles). So, there is a likelyhood that they'll get boiled/simmered as part of the Lipton cooking process.

Ya gotta cook them. Better yet, cook, dehydrate, rehydrate in your meal mix.

Harmony House beans rock. They are nicer than my home dried beans. It is all I use now.

Check with your local natural living center. The one in Bangor, Maine has several brands of instant black beans. I haven't tried them, but the seem reasonably priced. Hope you have a great thru hike.