If beans aren't soaked, allow at least an extra hour of cooking time. Beans can also be conveniently cooked in a crockery cooker or pressure cooker. Again, consult the chart for cooking times. Since you're going to the trouble, cook a bigger batch of beans than you'll need immediately. Leftovers keep in the refrigerator for four or five days, while frozen beans can be stored up to six months.
Most beans are interchangeable in recipes.
If there's a knock on beans, it's that they produce flatulence. The human digestive system lacks an enzyme necessary to break down certain substances in the beans, which ferment in the intestines until they are expelled as gas. The most successful method is said to be gradually increasing the amount of fiber in your diet, which allows the digestive system to adjust. So, like we said, eat your beans. Dump beans into large heavy kettle, add hot water and ham hocks, and bring to boiling.