According to my mother-in-law, to make the best beans you need the #1 ingredient.

I am very fortunate to always be surrounded by amazing home cooks. With our years of experience, Stories of trial and errorand with deep insight from spending so much time behind the stove, expressing creativity through food, they are heroes in the kitchen. Many people I’ve spent time with are never shy when it comes to passing along knowledge and wisdom, answering questions, and inviting me to cook with them. There’s no room for gatekeeping when it comes to spreading the love through delicious, home-cooked meals!

A great example is this pro tip from my mother-in-law. He is from Puerto Rico, and for years now he has taught me about the culture and techniques used in it. Puerto Rican food. He gave me my first tostonera (a plantain press), continuing to teach me. How to make a tostoneshares it. Tips for well-cooked rice And tender shrimp—and I was told a long time ago that I shouldn’t cook beans without adding a bay leaf to the pot. When I asked him about this pointer, I had no idea what a simple tip would be a game changer.

The Science Behind Adding Bay Leaves to Beans

Adding one or two according to my mother-in-law Full bay leaves Directly to you Dry beans As they cook, they will make them more tender and flavorful and support healthy digestion. Bay leaves contain a number of enzymes that help break down some of the proteins and fats in both beans and meat, and ultimately, digestion. Because this process makes them more tender and easier to digest, bay leaves can help reduce the unpleasant gas-producing effects of beans.

This trick also works with canned beans. Although Canned beans are already cooked.The leaves will add complexity to whatever dish you are making.

Remember, though: Bay leaves are quite pungent and are a choking hazard or can cause digestive damage if swallowed whole or in pieces. So be sure to remove and discard the bay leaves from the cooked beans before serving.

Benefits of cooking beans with bay leaves

• To tenderize. Beans are a budget-friendly, easy-to-cook dish.. However, beans that have been properly cooked retain a certain texture. If you’ve ever tasted sweet or undercooked beans, you know. You want the beans to be plump and plump with a soft and creamy center. For that perfectly tender bite, bay leaves are a helpful addition.
• Add flavor.. The bay leaves make the beans even more enjoyable by combining them with a subtle, but satisfying herb and earthy flavor.
• Minimize the pain.. If you love beans, but feel overly full or bloated after eating them, that’s more than enough reason to try adding bay leaves to the mix! Food should taste good and make you feel good, therefore Enjoy the tender beans without worrying about the pain they might cause later.