What to do with tough runner beans

Meanqueen · Post by **Meanqueen** » 16 Sep 2008, 21:42

I hate it when you are chewing runner beans and they have tough skins because they have been on the plant too long. You have to spit the skins out, ugghhh, horrible. I also hate throwing food away. So I thought it was worth trying this.

Cut them up and put them in a pan, I also had some of those dried peas that you soak for 12 hours, so I put these in as well. Cover with water, add a veggie oxo cube, some black pepper, and a spoon of grainy mustard, and a squirt of tomato puree. Cook for half an hour. Let it cool, then put it in a blender. Result, delicious soup. You could add anything to the beans, or use just beans on their own. I am going to make some more and freeze it.

Ilona
)c+

sharon the chauffeur · Post by **sharon the chauffeur** » 17 Sep 2008, 05:02

Ilona i dont have that problem often but i find adding 1 t spoon of sugar softens them whilst cooking

Mrs Fuzzywig · Post by **Mrs Fuzzywig** » 17 Sep 2008, 08:50

I just string, cut and freeze the beans, once defrosted and cooked, they are really tender and still fresh, no need to blanch them either.

Post by Mo » 17 Sep 2008, 11:16

If they are full of toenails they go on the compost heap. (Maybe I pod them and eat the beans)

I go to dance clubs twice a week so I strip the row and take the beans along. It keeps them tender and there's still enough for us in between. People say 'why do you plant so many?' but it's only a 6' row, and I can fill a washing-up bowl to give away easily. No point putting more than we will eat in the freezer. They seem to be tailing off now.

Meanqueen · Post by **Meanqueen** » 17 Sep 2008, 15:34

I like that, Mo, toenails, ha ha, coming to towards the end of them now but I'm finding some that are 2 feet long, previously hidden. I already have loads in my freezer, never thought of putting sugar in them. I am not a great soup lover, but if it helps it go down the hatch, mashing them up seems a good way of doing it. I have just microwaved a bowl of it for lunch, with a couple of bread roll, cheap lunch.

Ilona