M Jones wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> Perhaps somebody here can help a bachelor. I have kidney beans and butter
> beans. It says on the pack I must soak the beans for a minimum of 8 hours
> preferably in the refrigerator. I have done this and the skins fell off
the
> beans.
>
> Is soaking absolutely necessary for me to cook these types of pulses?
What
> does soaking actually do? Can I get away without doing it?
>

if the skins are falling off the beans you may be agitating them too much
during the cooking process or boiling them agressively. get the beans up to
a good simmer. (small bubbles, not boiling) and cook them that way. don't
stir too much and cook until tender. if you're already doing that... then
just ignore me :-)