cooking old beans and how to make rice flour?

Trisha in WA · #1 08/31/10, 02:15 PM

I cooked up a bunch of beans a few days ago that I had soaked over night and half the next day. I cooked them for HOURS and they never got soft like they should. I am thinking they were old beans as someone gave them to me. Can anyone tell me how to cook old beans so they are soft like they should be?

Also, I was given a bunch of white rice. We prefer wild rice, so I would like to try to use at least some of this as rice flour mixed in with our whole wheat. Does anyone else grind their own rice into flour? and can I do it with my food processor as I don't have a grain mill.
Also, how much rice flour could I use (percentage wise) in a recipe with out changing the texture too much?
Thanks,
Trisha

CarolynRenee · #2 08/31/10, 02:19 PM

I also have some old pinto beans (5+years old) that I soaked & cooked forever. But they never did get soft enough to eat. Well, you could eat them, but not with a straight face.

I tried pressure cooking them & it worked fine! Thank goodness because I'd hate to throw all those beans out.

As for the rice flour, I've made chocolate chip cookies with them and some other cookie recipes, but not breads yet. If you want the cookie recipe, let me know. They were good...the rice flour made it a nice change of texture to the normal cookies (I normally use whole wheat).

Trisha in WA · #3 08/31/10, 02:33 PM

CarolynRenee, I would very much appreciate the recipe. Also, did you make your own rice flour or did you buy it? I am wondering how to make it as well.
Thanks.

CarolynRenee · #4 08/31/10, 03:08 PM

I have a WhisperMill electric grain mill & a Country Life grain mill (non-electric). I normally use the electric mill. I suppose you could use your food processor & just sift out the bigger chunks of rice that didn't get ground into flour.

Chocolate Chip Cookes (Rice Flour)
1/4 C. Butter or Shortening
1 C. Sugar
1/8 Cup Maple Syrup (or maple flavored syrup, or honey)
2 Eggs
1/2 tsp. Vanilla
1 1/2 C. Rice Flour
1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
1/2 tsp. Salt
2 tsp. Cocoa powder (optional)
1 C. Chocolate Chips

Mix first five ingredients. Sift powdered ingredients in separage bowl. Combine & add chocolate chips & mix. 350 degrees for about 13 mintues.

I suppose you could use rice flour in other wheat flour cookie or cake recipes, probably up to a 1/4 of the wheat without causing much "damage" to the recipe. Not sure how yeast breads would turn out though.

Trisha in WA · #5 08/31/10, 03:24 PM

Thank you! A grain mill has been on the "wish" list for some time now, but just hasn't made it to the "buy it" list. Maybe this winter (she says hopefully).
The cookie recipe looks good. I'll try my food processor and see how it works. I certainly can sift out the larger bits like you say.

kyweaver · #6 08/31/10, 04:31 PM

A blender will work better than a food processor, if you have one.
I've replaced all the wheat flour with rice in pancakes, cookies, muffins. There will be a difference but it isn't a bad difference.
In yeast bread I have noticed not only a texture difference, but a change in flavor. Up to 1/4 of the flour is acceptable, more than that and no one liked it.

Trisha in WA · #7 08/31/10, 05:40 PM

I don't have a blender unfortunately. I burned it up a long time ago and have just been using my food processor every since for that kind of stuff.
Thank you for the cooking tip on how much I can substitute!

Kathyhere · #8 08/31/10, 05:42 PM

Thanks CarolynRenee for the recipe and info on rice flour. I'm trying to learn how to use it since DD in intolerant of wheat. It helps to read what is tried and true, so I can go ahead and try it too.

Trisha in WA · #9 08/31/10, 06:17 PM

well, I tried the food processor, and it didn't do anything....just spun around making lots of noise. So I guess the grain mill may get bumped up the list a little with that revelation.

CarolynRenee · #10 08/31/10, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trisha in WA

well, I tried the food processor, and it didn't do anything....just spun around making lots of noise. So I guess the grain mill may get bumped up the list a little with that revelation.

Not that I'm saying you should put off your purchase of a grain mill, but you may be able to get by with finding a used blender at a thrift store. I'd try it myself with some rice to let you know how it worked, but DD 18 months just fell asleep & I just can't bring myself to turn on the blender! I'll try tomorrow morning & let you know if it worked.

limey · #11 09/01/10, 11:44 AM

Wow Trisha - if you were still in Yelm I could give you the blender that is waiting to go to Goodwill. It works fine, I bought a Vitamix and so don't need it. If you are going to be coming back this way anytime soon, let me know and I will save it for you.

Limey

Trisha in WA · #12 09/01/10, 06:40 PM

ACK! Thank you Limey, but I probably won't be making another trip back until spring.
Maybe I'll just borrow one from a friend here and see if it works. Then if it does, I can look for one at a thrift store.
Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the ideas...and keep 'em coming!
Trisha