I just throw the seasoning packet away, never used it at all. Just use the bean mix itself, it’s really good, HOWEVER be aware that some of the “beans” are actually lentils, and they break down into a mush faster than others.
If you cook the beans a long time in your soup as I do then it gets REALLY bad looking. We call it “ugly soup” because it’s ugly AF but DELICIOUS.
Edit: I’ve NEVER found a rock in these also, not once in the dozens of bags, maybe hundreds, I’ve used.
Most agricultural products go through screening to remove unwanted materials, but these systems can miss items that closely resemble the food in size and appearance. For example, I once bit into a rock that looked exactly like an almond in a bag of almonds. While it’s a rare occurrence, it’s still important to stay cautious. If something like this happens, contact the company and provide the product’s serial or lot number. This helps them trace where and when it was packaged and check if there was a problem with the screening process.
Lots of bags of dry beans have rocks. Little black pebbles usually, like coarse sand.
Some brands have them more often than others but you can easily break a tooth on them so I always toss them on the counter and scoot them around to check.
Your day may come. Be vigilant! Best to find them on the counter than in your mouth. Some brands, or bean types, have a lot more than others. Black and red beans have had the most for me, in that order. It sucks because it’s harder to spot the rocks in the black beans, too.
I’ve found lots of rocks in bags of beans over the years, could be a regional or economic thing too (just as a point of reference, I grew up really poor in the South). As a kid I remember pouring them out on a backing sheet to sort them, little did I realize I’d end up doing something similar as a teen with an AOL CD tin.
Yeah I find them more often in brands from foreign foods sections. Often times they’re better quality beans for a lot cheaper though!
I’ll take the couple minutes to scan for rocks if it means I’m getting better beans any day of the week. Fucking love beans, haven’t ever met one I don’t like.
Maybe the screen process wasn’t as good when mother had to look. Small rocks are just going to be something that gets picked up occasionally if they’re being machine harvested.
That parallels my experience. Great bean mix, haven’t found a stone yet. The seasoning pack included sounds gross to me so I bin it. This mix is magic in an instant pot with your own mix of spices and whatever liquid base you like. Takes just over an hour to go from prepping to eating.
I honestly have no recollection. It was about 10 years ago. I probably just used like half the seasoning packet with salt and pepper. (Because that seems like something I’d do.)
I cut a pack of decent quality bacon into strips and start it a sizzlin
Then, dice equal parts carrot, onion, and celery (mirepoix) while the bacon is cooking
I crank the heat and sautee the mirepoix in the pan with the bacon, then I add the beans with the soak water and some salt (don’t go crazy, the bacon has salt too, and I add cheese at serving also)
Bring to boil and then reduce to simmer until the beans are mostly cooked, stirring and adding water as needed.
When things are cooked pretty well throw in a diced tomato (or a can), a bulb of crushed garlic, ground mustard, dried basil, and ground thyme. Let it cook a bit until the flavors develop, then adjust seasoning, salt, pepper etc. Sorry I don’t have measurements, I eyeball everything. I cook the soup a long time so by the end it will stick if you don’t stir fairly frequently because the lentils and some beans have dissolved. I like the soup thicc so that also contributes to it sticking.
The thyme and basil are the stars here, the thyme especially.
I usually eat it with some rice and some grated Monterey Jack cheese on top.
I use jasmine rice and put a small amount of olive oil in the pan, then crush a garlic clove per cup of rice I’m cooking and sautee gently (don’t burn it!) as soon as the garlic has cooked a bit I add a cup of dry rice to the pan and stir it around real good, add the water, and salt it. Rice should not be bland, motherfuckers!
I do as well in addition to the seasoning packet. I’ve grown to really like the seasonig with it. The smoked ham takes it to another level entirely, though.
I fucking love these.
I just throw the seasoning packet away, never used it at all. Just use the bean mix itself, it’s really good, HOWEVER be aware that some of the “beans” are actually lentils, and they break down into a mush faster than others.
If you cook the beans a long time in your soup as I do then it gets REALLY bad looking. We call it “ugly soup” because it’s ugly AF but DELICIOUS.
Edit: I’ve NEVER found a rock in these also, not once in the dozens of bags, maybe hundreds, I’ve used.
Why would you find a rock in beans? Has someone even mentioned rocks?
Most agricultural products go through screening to remove unwanted materials, but these systems can miss items that closely resemble the food in size and appearance. For example, I once bit into a rock that looked exactly like an almond in a bag of almonds. While it’s a rare occurrence, it’s still important to stay cautious. If something like this happens, contact the company and provide the product’s serial or lot number. This helps them trace where and when it was packaged and check if there was a problem with the screening process.
“15 bean soup is great but you gotta check the packet for rocks” is the most American thing I’ve read today.
Lots of bags of dry beans have rocks. Little black pebbles usually, like coarse sand.
Some brands have them more often than others but you can easily break a tooth on them so I always toss them on the counter and scoot them around to check.
Every bag of dried beans I’ve seen tells you to inspect them for rocks, since they are an agricultural product. I’ve never found one though.
Your day may come. Be vigilant! Best to find them on the counter than in your mouth. Some brands, or bean types, have a lot more than others. Black and red beans have had the most for me, in that order. It sucks because it’s harder to spot the rocks in the black beans, too.
I’ve never found a rock in any black or red beans but i also only by in bulk so maybe there’s less chance in there?
I’ve found lots of rocks in bags of beans over the years, could be a regional or economic thing too (just as a point of reference, I grew up really poor in the South). As a kid I remember pouring them out on a backing sheet to sort them, little did I realize I’d end up doing something similar as a teen with an AOL CD tin.
Yeah I find them more often in brands from foreign foods sections. Often times they’re better quality beans for a lot cheaper though!
I’ll take the couple minutes to scan for rocks if it means I’m getting better beans any day of the week. Fucking love beans, haven’t ever met one I don’t like.
Looking for Rock records amidst a trial pile?
I found a rock in a bag of beans twice in my life. My mother found one when I was a child and made sure I saw why we look through them first.
Then as an adult. Once. I got to go AHA and grab it.
I’ve seen blood in chicken eggs much more commonly!
Maybe the screen process wasn’t as good when mother had to look. Small rocks are just going to be something that gets picked up occasionally if they’re being machine harvested.
I think it was more of an issue when I was younger for sure, but I still find them occasionally. I eat a ton of beans though.
That parallels my experience. Great bean mix, haven’t found a stone yet. The seasoning pack included sounds gross to me so I bin it. This mix is magic in an instant pot with your own mix of spices and whatever liquid base you like. Takes just over an hour to go from prepping to eating.
I once forgot about it in a crock pot using the fast cook method and basically boiled the whole thing into mush. It made for a delicious bean dip.
Nice! Maybe I’ll try that. What else did you have in the pot?
I honestly have no recollection. It was about 10 years ago. I probably just used like half the seasoning packet with salt and pepper. (Because that seems like something I’d do.)
Care to share what you do for seasoning instead? Every time I’ve tried (not many) it comes out disappointing.
Sure!
TLDR: mirepoix, garlic, ground mustard, ground thyme, basil, salt, pepper, bacon
I cut a pack of decent quality bacon into strips and start it a sizzlin
Then, dice equal parts carrot, onion, and celery (mirepoix) while the bacon is cooking
I crank the heat and sautee the mirepoix in the pan with the bacon, then I add the beans with the soak water and some salt (don’t go crazy, the bacon has salt too, and I add cheese at serving also)
Bring to boil and then reduce to simmer until the beans are mostly cooked, stirring and adding water as needed.
When things are cooked pretty well throw in a diced tomato (or a can), a bulb of crushed garlic, ground mustard, dried basil, and ground thyme. Let it cook a bit until the flavors develop, then adjust seasoning, salt, pepper etc. Sorry I don’t have measurements, I eyeball everything. I cook the soup a long time so by the end it will stick if you don’t stir fairly frequently because the lentils and some beans have dissolved. I like the soup thicc so that also contributes to it sticking.
The thyme and basil are the stars here, the thyme especially.
I usually eat it with some rice and some grated Monterey Jack cheese on top.
I use jasmine rice and put a small amount of olive oil in the pan, then crush a garlic clove per cup of rice I’m cooking and sautee gently (don’t burn it!) as soon as the garlic has cooked a bit I add a cup of dry rice to the pan and stir it around real good, add the water, and salt it. Rice should not be bland, motherfuckers!
I throw away the seasoning packet as well. I use a couple smoked ham hocks as my seasoning.
So, so tasty.
I do as well in addition to the seasoning packet. I’ve grown to really like the seasonig with it. The smoked ham takes it to another level entirely, though.