ok, how about a cooking tip? dried beans.

[mopinko]

i buy bulk dried beans for about 50¢/lb.
when i make something w them the 1st time, i toss the whole bag in the pot, bring to a boil, let go for about 10 minutes, turn it off, and let cool.
then i take whatever i dont need for that recipe, bag them up, and put the rest in the freezer.
one bag is fine. you can give them a smack, and they separate out.

they come out ready to simmer for a bit and be edible, or to make something like chili or soup, that takes a long cook.
i like to make black beans and eggs. i brown them up in some butter, cover w tomato juice, some salsa. simmer for 15 min or so, then crack a couple eggs in the middle. put a slice of cheese on top, cook for another couple minutes, and voila. cheap, easy dinner.
bigger beans need a little longer.

as fast as canned, but still have a better texture after long cooking.
also, i love my dehydrator. i slice up tomatoes and dry. intensifies the flavor. when you use them, they are like using paste.
a sweet onion comes out like candy. and cherry tomatoes? i kid you not, i put them in my xmas cookies.
great for mushrooms, too. perfect for mushroom gravy.

[NBachers]

1. I endorse any bean thread. Had pressure-cooker garbanzos tonight tonight w/ eggs, cheese, & tomatoes

[mopinko]

2. mmm. sounds good.

where are you? imma come over.

[fierywoman]

3. Thank you, mopinko, for such a smart tip re freezing beans!

[mopinko]

4. most welcome.

recently found out i was diabetic. still getting used to it.
always loved beans, but the time to cook when my blood sugar is flagging is just not there.
gotta be frugal w time, too.

[Sherman A1]

5. Sounds great!

Thanks for the idea.

[mitch96]

6. and And AND beans/legumes are good for you!! Chickpea pate' aka Humos is delish on any kind of bread

pita/cracker. You don't even need garbanzos. Any white bean, any nut butter, EVOO and garlic and your set. Rice and beans, Lentils are quick. I cook them up with quinoa and veg. a 20 min meal. A trick I learned is not to save the bean water. The bean water is where most of the farts live...
If I have the time I soak over nite and in the morning I saute up some onions, garlic, green pepper and celery.. I then throw in some Old bay seasoning, a bay leave and pressure cook the veg and beans for about ½ hour. Delish!! I remove the beans and veg and cook down the liquid till it gets a bit thick and throw it back with the beans.. good stuff YMMV
EAT UR BEANS!!
m

[mopinko]

7. oh dang. now i need some humus.

didnt get it in my instacart order the other day. got a bag of pita chips sitting here.
and a bag of navy beans, and everything else there, including dried peppers, hot and sweet.

i keep the stuff i dry in the freezer, just to be on the safe side. but then you dont have to get things bone dry.

[mitch96]

10. If your lazy like me I sometimes get commercial hummos and ad a can of no salt garbanzo beans

to the mix. You can smash 'em up before you mix them up. Almost doubles the amount from the store bought.I also make a stew with garbanzo or any white bean, faro or any wheat berry mushrooms and veg stock. Cook it up for a ½ to 45 min and done. I add what ever seasoning to what ever part of the world I want to go to.. EVOO cumin oregano and chili de arbol and I'm down south. Cinnamon, nutmeg za'tar and I'm in the middle east. Then there is indian spice and china..
YMMV
m

[mopinko]

11. where is it you live?

are you single?
i'm available.

[procon]

8. Instant Pot Split Green Peas or Black Eyed Peas

Either of these dried pease are a quick and easy weekday meal as no soaking is needed. Go vegetarian or add some bits of ham, bacon, sausage or precooked smoked meat. Toss in some aromatic vegetables like carrots, onions, garlic, peppers, and celery, I also add cilantro. To make a delicious, well seasoned, fragrant broth that's just as tasty as the beans themselves, add rosemary, sage and thyme.

For dried black eyed peas I like to add carrots and greens like collards or mustard. For thicker split green peas, use a stick bender or a potato masher to break up the pease, but leaving some whole.

Cover the dried peas with water or broth. Pressure cook 15 minutes. Use the natural release for about 15 minutes then vent off any remaining pressure before opening the lid. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with hot sauce, fresh or pickled jalapeno peppers, chopped Pickled Pepperoncini peppers on the side.

While the peas are cooking bake a pan of cornbread for a hearty meal.

[mopinko]

9. mmm. hungry.

i have a batch of chicken stock in my freezer from a hen too tough to eat.
i dried the meat out for the dogs.

[procon]

12. Chicken stock with smoked turkey meat is delicious.

Use smoked turkey necks, wings or legs. Necks are usually the cheapest, but you'll spend more time picking the meat from the bones. I generally buy the wings as they have a good meat to waste ratio for the price.

Add everything to the Instant Pot and pressure cook 55 minutes with the natural release of about 15 minutes. This will make a rich and hearty bone broth that's easy to pick off all the meat. Skim off the fat from the broth. Depending on your taste preferences, add a quantity of water to the cooked broth. Chop meat into bite sized pieces. Portion out the broth and meat into freezer containers.

[Chainfire]

13. Damn you all!

Now I am hungry as hell!

[mopinko]

14. ikr?

there'll be a pot of beans on my stove shortly.