"Sqwertz" > wrote in message
...
> Last year it was the lima beans that turned into sludge as they
> cooked, and this time it was navy beans that didn't soften after 4
> hours of simmering.
>
> They're 0 for 2 on beans. **** Walmart (and **** you, John)
>
> -sw

Don't they have an expiration date on them? I got Lima beans at Walmart.
Made KenK's soup with them. They did cook a lot faster than the package
suggested but I've found that to be the case with all beans lately. I always
check at half the suggested time.

I think I only ever had beans that wouldn't soften. That was back in the
70's and the first time I ever cooked dried beans The beans may have been
old, but I also added the other ingredients for the soup at the start of the
cook time. I can't remember what all now I put in there but likely some form
of tomato and salt. I know now to add those at the end of the cook time. I
do remember following a recipe as written and the beans had soaked
overnight. After 8 hours of cooking, they were still hard as a rock.