3 CP cooking questions

[lparker]

I really have to get the CP working....maybe.

1) Why do I have to pre-cook dry beans then cooked them again for 6-8 hours? (instead of soaking them overnight)

2) Why do I have to pre-cook rice before cooking 6-8 hours?

3) And last, why should I have to waste good rum in a hot toddy, by pouring it in 6 hours before I drink it. ( there is rum extract available )?

I might have more questions to add here as I go through the couple CP recipe books I have.

Thanks,

[RaineyDaye]

I really have to get the CP working....maybe.

1) Why do I have to pre-cook dry beans then cooked them again for 6-8 hours? (instead of soaking them overnight)

2) Why do I have to pre-cook rice before cooking 6-8 hours?

3) And last, why should I have to waste good rum in a hot toddy, by pouring it in 6 hours before I drink it. ( there is rum extract available )?

I'm a lazy cook and I often just dump stuff into the crockpot, so take that into account in my answers
I don't know about 1# - I soak beans then cook them in a pressure cooker. #2 - I never pre-cook rice before putting it in the crockpot; I just add it a couple of hours before the other things in the crock pot will be done. Maybe that recipe calls for the pre-cooked rice to be added just for the last 30 minutes. #3 I think there is rum extract. And wouldn't cooking the rum would destroy all the alcohol?

[krbshappy71]

I haven't done beans.

I don't precook rice.

I would drink the rum, not cook with it.

I look forward to real answers.

[Josephhgoins]

I usually soak my beans over night, bring to a boil for 2 minutes and then dump into the crock pot on high. Sometimes, I just skip the soaking overnight.

There is rum extract available, but I prefer hot butter rum, which takes about a minute to make and taste great on cold nights.

I haven't cooked rice in a crock pot, I usually just use the microwave and a covered cass dish.

[krbshappy71]

I haven't cooked rice in a crock pot, I usually just use the microwave and a covered cass dish.

OFF TOPIC; how do you do the rice? How long for how much? I am using a steamer and its *grrrrrumble* 50 minutes for only 3 cups of rice. (1 cup rice, 2 cups water) I hate waiting the 50 minutes! (yes I'm instant-gratification girl)

[Josephhgoins]

oh rice is easy, check the package for your instructions.

mine says 1 cup rice to 1 1/2 cups water. Cook covered on high for 5 minutes and then for 20 mintes on medium. Let stand for 5 minutes. I use long grain rice, but I am srue others would be about the same.

Simple and easy to do while the chicken or whatever is cooking.

I sometimes and a cut up boneless, skinless chicken breast and some ranch seasoning to this. Then serve in a flour tortila with sour cream. Easy, quick and almost no clean up.

[Ceashels]

I don't precook my rice if I'm adding it into a recipe that cooks for 4-5 hrs. I put it in dry. If I have left over rice, I'll add it to my CP about 20-30 mins before serving.

I always presoak my beans before cooking in a CP. I see it more as a hydration process followed by a cooking process.

As for the rum, I'd let everything else be in the pot simmering first then add the rum to the glass in my hand. If I was having a party and had a crock of hot buttered rum mix... I would add the rum to the pot when the guests arrive. I do this with bourbon and hot cider.

[lparker]

Thanks all...I have some beans soaking and will dump them in the pot tomorrow morning with some other stuff...give an update tomorrow night

And yes, the alcohol would evaporate over a period of time...that's why THAT question...frugal person that I am becoming hates to see waste..

[Palooka]

I just soak my beans and throw them in the cp. I don't pre-cook rice either. I only cook it in the CP if it's in a recipe, otherwise I use my rice cooker.

[frugalfranny]

Same as the others.......

I don't precook anything that I am cooking in the cp.

If using left over rice.........will put it in at the very end of cooking time.

[KY_EMT]

As for the beans, I NEVER soak them before cooking in the CP. I simply put the beans in the CP, cover with about 1 and 1/2 inches of water, and then cook on HIGH for 4-5 hrs (give or take), till the beans are tender. Beans cooked this way are DELICIOUS!