How to Soften Sprouted Beans

[CrunchyFarmGirl]

Hi,
I keep trying to soak (24 hours) then sprout (several days) my lentils and beans. Afterwards I've tried to cook them into soup. I can't seem to get the beans to soften though, they can cook for twice as long as i would cook a bean that had only soaked and yet the taste the same as when I put them in the pot! I have yet to find a cooking time that is enough to soften them and I have already been cooking them for several hours.

Please help!

[quietserena]

If the water that they're soaking in sours, that can make them tough.

So far, I've had the best results with hot soaks for beans. I soak them in the crockpot set on low, with the lid off. I soak them overnight and then change the water, rinse the beans well and cook.

[thedomesticdiva]

I had really bad results when I added vinegar to the soaking.

I rinse mine at least twice a day, to keep away the stinky.

Also, if you add any form of salt, it can keep the beans from softening - I do not add salt until they are the texture I like, then I add salt and serve 20 minutes later... I think some of the NT Baked beans tell you to add salt in the beginning, but it never works for me....

Keep with it...