dried beans in chili

[Sparrow]

I really want to make chili this weekend. I DO NOT want to go back to the grocery store. I usually make it with canned beans, but I don't have any. I have lots of dried kidney beans.

I usually let my chili simmer for about 2 hours.... can I just throw in the beans? It's been a long time since I've cooked with dried beans and can't remember.

TIA:heart

[gpsings]

I do black dry beans and pinto beans in the crockpot, but you have to do red beans on the stove. All I do for that, is rinse them (always rinse dry beans) and throw them in the crockpot with a lot of water. I'm terrible about measuring, but it always turns out right. Leave it cook all day. :D
About red beans, here's a link:
( http://www.foodreference.com/html/artredkidneybeanpoisoning.html )

To do them on the stove, just rinse them in a strainer, soak them in a pot of water for 5 hours, change the water and then boil until tender. They are very easy, just time consuming. You can then use them for chili. :)

[Sparrow]

How much do they expand? Like if I want 3 cups cooked beans?

[mommylove]

There is an exception for kidney beans which MUST be boiled for 10 minutes prior to being placed in a slow cooker. There is a toxin that causes gastric distress if they are not cooked at a high enough temperature for a long enough time. This toxin is actually increased by about 5x if cooked at too low a temperature when compared to raw, soaked kidney beans. Use care and use already cooked kidney beans in slow cooker recipes. You don’t want to puke your brains up to save a few minutes. (http://www.fda.gov/food/foodsafety/foodborneillness/foodborneillnessfoodbornepathogensnaturaltoxins/badbugbook/ucm071092.htm)

Sorry for the obnoxious underline. I cut & pasted from this (http://www.home-ec101.com/how-to-cook-with-dried-beans/) website & that's the way it comes.

To answer your question, no, do not add dried beans to your chili. The site linked above gives a few options on how to cook them.

[gpsings]

You know...I never measure. I'm sorry. I wish I could help more.
For chili, I generally put equal parts light red kidney beans, dark red, navy beans and sometimes black beans and being about a cup of each, fills the crockpot about 1/2 to 2/3 of the way full once cooked.

[mommylove]

How much do they expand? Like if I want 3 cups cooked beans?

I'm not sure, but when I cook dried beans (which is frequently) I make a big pot & freeze what I don't use. Beans freeze beautifully.

[Sparrow]

yikes, now I'm bean scared :shifty I have black beans too... those seem less sinister :giggle

[gpsings]

Sorry for the obnoxious underline. I cut & pasted from this (http://www.home-ec101.com/how-to-cook-with-dried-beans/) website & that's the way it comes.

To answer your question, no, do not add dried beans to your chili. The site linked above gives a few options on how to cook them.

Yes yes! Cook them as directed in those sites before using them for chili! The sickness is rare, but does happen. Better not to take a chance. ;)

It seems the red beans are the only ones warned about. I make black and pinto beans in my slow cooker all the time.