Vegetable Cooking and Soaking Time

In Vida Recipes, today we want to talk to you about the cooking and soaking time of vegetables.

Surely you've heard that cooking vegetables is a time-consuming job, and to be honest, it's true; since they are seeds, cooking and softening them requires two fundamental ingredients, time and patience. Grandmothers used to simmer them in a slow cooker for hours until they got a dish with body, flavor

and tenderness.

Fortunately, today we know different methods to cook them, easy and faster methods.

It all starts with a good soak, and this step is crucial because it will help us shorten the cooking time.

How much water do I add to keep them hydrated?

Add triple the amount you placed of legumes, since when hydrated they can triple in size.

Do I need to soak them all night?

The answer is yes, of course 5 hours will be enough to soften them; but 8 to 10 hours is recommended; try not to exceed 12 hours to prevent them from losing their properties when cooking them.

Lentils can be soaked for 5 hours, but chickpeas and beans require 8 hours.

Before cooking them, remember to change the water. You don't need to throw away the water you used to soak them, since you can use it to

water your plants.

Cook them in clean water and don't add salt. Let them boil for a few minutes, on high heat and remove any foam that forms. From now on, they start counting the times that we indicate below, cook on medium-low heat

.

How much water to add to the pot?

If you are going to cook in a conventional pot, you can add to the preparation as needed; just keep in mind that cold water must be added to the beans; while to the chickpeas and lentils you must add hot water.

If you are cooking in an espresso pot, add enough cold water to cover the vegetables and three fingers on your hand.

If there is still water left at the end of cooking, you can heat without a lid and let it reduce a little. Add salt and enjoy your dish.

How long do I cook them?

That depends on the vegetable and the type of pot in which you are going to cook it.

Lentils are usually cooked over medium heat for about 40 to 50 minutes; but if you are going to cook them in an express pot, it will only take 10 to 15 minutes.

Chickpeas are cooked in a conventional pot for 60 to 90 minutes. In an express pot, they take 20 to 25 minutes.

Beans take at least 45 minutes, and their cooking can be extended for a couple of hours; while in an express pot their time is considerably reduced to about 15 to 18 minutes.