On 2007-05-03, Mr Libido Incognito > wrote:
>
> I can't cook beans to save my soul...Hello my name is Mr Libido Incognito
> and I can't cook dried beans. They are always tough...I've tried the
> overnight soaking...adding baking soda, adding salt, the boil twice
> method...no acids...standing on my left leg , drinking from the other side
> of the glass and many other folk lore methods, alas nothing helps.

You've tried all the wrong methods.

Start your water boiling to a full rolling boil. Use plenty of water.
Not some measured amount, but enough to fully cover the beans keep
them agitated during the initial boil. Add the washed beans to the
boiling water and adjust heat to keep the beans moving, but not so
much as cause a boil over. Forget pre-soaking the beans, it's a waste
of time. Let the beans cook at this agitated boil for at least an
hour or more. Leave the lid off the pot and add more water if too
much evaporates. After an hour or so, you can reduce the boil and let
the water reduce to the desired amount. Continue to let the beans
simmer until done. Test the beans periodically for doneness. Using
this method, your beans will come out just like you want them and the
skins will not be tough. Add salt after the beans have reached the
degree of doneness you desire.

You can still stand on one leg, if you'd like.

nb