Dried beans are like the Chia Pets of the food world. They may not look like much at first, but just add water and watch them turn into something magical. (Perhaps this is why they're referred to as the magical—or is it musical?—fruit.) But how many times have you considered making a pot of beans, thought about how much time they would take, tired yourself out just thinking about that, then opened a can of beans instead? We talked to our Test Kitchen editors about whether making your own beans is worth the time and effort—here's what they had to say:
Turn a can of white beans into dinner tonight.
The Case for Canned
There's something comforting about keeping a small stockpile of cans in the pantry for emergency throw-together weeknight meals. They don't require any advance planning, they're relatively inexpensive, and with a little TLC, you can transform them into a delicious, nutritious meal. And let's be honest: If you're planning on eating in the next two hours, you're using canned beans.
But which kind? Typically you can find black, cannellini, pinto, kidney, and garbanzo (chickpea) beans at most grocery stores, but our Test Kitchen staff agrees these beans are not created equal. We feel best about chickpeas and cannellini beans, both of which come pretty close to homemade versions and are great pinch-hitters to throw into last-minute soups, salads, dips, and more. Canned kidney beans on the other hand, just...[shudders]. (Seriously, why are they that freakishly bright red color?!)
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As for ideas on what to do once you've cracked a can: Editor in chief Adam Rapoport is a fan of simmering drained Goya black beans with some sautéed onion and garlic and chopped cilantro as a side with quick tacos. One of our favorites: Crumble a few sausages into a skillet and cook until they're crispy and browned. Dump in a drained can of white beans (like cannellini or navy) and heat 'em up before adding a big handful of torn greens. Season with salt and pepper, add a hit of red chile flakes if you crave some heat, and top with a fried or poached egg if you're feeling extra-ambitious. Dinner tonight: done and done.
