John M

You can pickle beans by packing fresh, crisp beans into clean jars, covering them with a seasoned brine, and letting time and acid do their magic.   It’s one of the easiest ways to preserve a bumper crop of green beans, wax beans, or even long beans, and the tangy, crunchy results are absolutely worth … Read more

You can microwave green beans and it’s actually one of the fastest, easiest ways to get a healthy side dish on the table.   If you’ve been wondering how do you microwave green beans without turning them into a mushy mess, the answer is simpler than you think.   Fresh, frozen, or even canned green … Read more

You make white beans by simmering dried beans in water until they’re creamy and tender.   Whether you’re using them for soups, stews, or a simple side dish, learning how to make white beans from scratch is one of the most useful kitchen skills you can have.   They’re cheap, filling, and loaded with protein … Read more

You can make refried beans from scratch by simmering dried pinto beans until they’re tender, then mashing and frying them in a skillet with fat and seasonings.   Seriously, that’s it.   The name “refried” is actually a bit of a mistranslation of the Spanish word “refritos,” which means “well-fried,” not fried twice.   If … Read more

How do you make refried black beans? You make refried black beans by simmering cooked beans with sautéed onions, garlic, and warm spices, then mashing them into a rich, creamy paste.   If you’ve been asking how do you make refried black beans that taste like the ones from your favorite taqueria, the good news … Read more

You make string beans by cleaning and trimming fresh pods, then cooking them with a little water, fat, and seasoning until they’re bright, tender, and full of flavor.   If you’ve been wondering how do you make string beans taste good instead of bland or mushy, the answer starts with choosing the right beans and … Read more