Dried pulses

[Monika]

We use a lot of pulses, particularly mixed beans and green peas. I can never remember: do I wash the stuff before soaking and then use the soakingwater for cooking? Or do I soak them, then wash them in a sieve and use fresh water for cooking? Or does it matter? I seem to remember that there was a reason for doing it one way or another.

[tea-shot]

Dear Monika, I always wash the pulses first - then soak in fresh cold water - then boil in fresh cold water . It's just the way I was brought up

[Angi]

I agree. Never cook them in the soaking water.

[Monika]

Many thanks, tea-shot and Angi. I'll do that from now.

[nannygreen]

Pulses always used to be rinsed after soaking and often the first water of boiling was discarded too, because beans means f..ts!It was thought the worst of the wind making properties was washed off this way.Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to work-you need special flora in your gut to digest the part of the beans that make you explode. But, it seems if you eat a lot of beans you do develop the flora needed, eventually-probably after you've lost all your friends! If you really want to know what pain means, try eating Jerusalem artichokes. AAArgh!