<sf> wrote in message ...
> On Mon, 15 Oct 2007 00:49:21 GMT, "JoeSpareBedroom"
> > wrote:
>
>>
>>What's with the baking soda? Tenderize the beans?
>
> It's supposed to cut down on bean induced methane production, but I
> think throwing out the "first boil" water works just as well.


I may try both next time I make hummus. I can eat brands like Tribe hummus
all day long with no explosive effect. But, a couple of weeks ago, I made
some from scratch and everyone who ate it said they were afraid to turn on
light switches in the house the next day. Me included. I started with dried
garbanzos, and cooked them for quite a bit longer than the bag recommended,
because they simply didn't want to get tender.