How To: Cook pinto beans

Legumes like pinto beans are not only delicious and a staple in any Mexican meal but are also very healthy for you. They may take a little time to cook from scratch but can be made in large batches with out much effort and are extremely cost effective.

Pinto beans have long been enjoyed in Mexico. A technique for turning the hard dried beans into a delicious menu item is described here.

You Will Need

  * Pinto beans
  * A pot
  * Water
  * A slow cooker (optional)

Step 1: Clean the dry beans

Remove any stones from the dried beans, and then rinse them completely free of dirt.

Step 2: Soak the beans

Place the beans in a pot with 3 inches of water covering them. Let the beans soak overnight.

If you have a slow cooker, cook the beans for eight hours on low heat without pre-soaking.

Step 3: Replace the water

Pour out the water and replace it with enough water to cover the beans by an inch.

Step 4: Cook the beans

Bring the beans to a boil. Then reduce the heat and allow them to simmer for 4 hours. Check the beans periodically to make sure there is still water in the pot.

The name "pinto" means "painted" in Spanish, and refers to the beans' reddish brown and beige coloring.