Beans are a great source of healthy carbohydrate, fat, and protein. Garbanzo beans are delicious and easy to make. We recommend soaking dried garbanzo beans for 8 hours and cooking them with some Kombu for extra nutrients. Garbanzo beans work great either as an entree or an appetizer.
Step 1: Pick Through Garbanzo Beans
You will want to sift through the garbanzo beans that you are planning on using for your recipe. Rocks often get mixed in with the beans and they are very unpleasant to munch on. Also pick out any discolored beans.
Step 2: Rinse Garbanzo Beans
Place the garbanzo beans in a colander. Rinse the beans with water.
Step 3: Soak Garbanzo Beans
Soak beans overnight or for at least 8 hours at room temperature. Use 3 cups of water for every 1 cup of dried garbanzo beans. If any garbanzo beans float to the top, pick them out and toss them.
*Do not soak garbanzo beans in the fridge
*Do not add baking soda or salt to the beans during soaking or cooking
Step 4: Drain the Garbanzo Beans and Replace the Water
Drain the water from the garbanzo beans and move them to a large pot. Add 3 cups fresh water for each cup of dried beans that you used.
Step 5: Boil the Garbanzo Beans
They should take about 1-3 hours to cook after they are brought to a simmer.
First, bring the water to a boil. If adding the Kombu for extra nutrients, add it at this time. Scoop out any froth that forms with a spoon.
Once the water is brought to a boil, cover and reduce heat to simmer. After 1 hour start checking your beans. They may take up to 3 hours to cook. Cooking time varies depending on the amount of beans, the pot, and time spent soaking the beans.
While the beans are cooking, check here and there to make sure the water is still at a simmer. If it is not, temporarily bring the heat up to medium until the water is simmering again, then set the heat back to simmer. Stir the beans occasionally to ensure they are cooking evenly.
To test whether the garbanzo beans are done place the bean in your mouth and smash it against the roof of your mouth with your tongue. The bean should easily spread on the roof of your mouth without disintegrating.
Step 6: Drain the Garbanzo Beans and Use in Recipes
Drain the garbanzo beans and remove the Kombu if added. Use the garbanzo beans as a main ingredient or to make a delicious hummus.
