Pressure cooked dry beans and lentils are so much better than canned beans. There are many variables in why this is true. Dry beans cost much less than canned beans, they taste better than canned beans and contain no preservatives. Dry beans are healthier than canned beans and more environmentally safe because they don’t require any metal packaging or salt water and preservatives that canned beans are soaked in. Besides the fact that using a new generation pressure cooker is the fastest way to cook beans and rice.

These two recipes are a great place to start.

Old Fashioned Baked Beans

Ingredients:

• 2 cups dry navy beans (aka white beans)
• 3 tbsp. Canola oil
• 1 large onion diced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1-3/4 cups water
• 1 can (2 fl. Oz) tomato paste
• 3 tbsp. brown sugar
• 2 tbsp. molasses
• 1/2 tsp. prepared mustard
• 1/4 tsp. cumin
• 1/8 tsp. chili powder

Preparation:

Rinse and soak navy beans for at least 8 hours. Drain and rinse the beans. Add all ingredients except the beans to the pressure cooker and stir thoroughly. Then add the beans. Bring to a boil, then stir and lock the lid in place and bring to pressure. Lower heat and cook for 40 minutes at 15 psi. Release pressure using the quick release method or auto release and remove lid.

Makes 4 servings

Hummus

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup dried chickpeas
• 1/3 cup Canola oil
• 1/3 cup EVOO
• 1/3 cup tahini
• 1/3 cup water
• 4 tbsp. lemon juice
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 tsp. cumin
• Salt to taste

Preparation:

Soak chickpeas for at least 4 hours. You can put them in water before you head for work to prepare in the evening. Dispose soaking water and rinse. Place chickpeas in pressure cooker with 3-1/2 cups water. Lock the lid and bring to pressure, then lower heat and cook for 9 to 14 minutes on high or 15 psi. Use the natural release method to allow the pressure to drop. Blend cooked chickpeas and all other ingredients until creamy.

Makes 4 servings

Making family favorites is quick and easy when using a pressure cooker. With a pressure cooker you can have low-cost, healthy meals in the fraction of the time it would take to bake, boil or use a slow cooker.