How to prepare Breton beans for a hearty, stomach-friendly meal

Legumes, including beans, often don't have a good reputation. They are accused of being hard to digest and taking a long time to prepare. Meanwhile, they are an excellent source of protein, fiber, and vitamins. It's better not to forgo them in your diet unless you have serious digestive issues. So how do you treat beans to feel great after eating them?

The first step is proper soaking. However, before pouring water over the beans, you must inspect them. Discard any that are shriveled or have any debris or impurities. Then rinse them in a colander under running water and soak them in a large amount of cold water. Beans can absorb much more water than they weigh. During soaking, the skin will soften, and the sprouting process will begin, eliminating substances that cause digestive problems. One cup of beans should be soaked in 2-3 cups water. How long to soak the beans? Ideally, for several hours.

Remember to pour out the water the beans were soaking in. Then, rinse them under running water, place them in clean water, and cook them. This way, the beans will no longer have substances that cause unpleasant bloating. When foam appears on the water during the initial phase of cooking beans, you need to remove it, for example, with a slotted spoon. Well-soaked beans will also cook evenly, much faster, and taste more delicate.

What should you season Breton beans with? You can't miss adding marjoram, which not only has a great impact on the flavor but also aids digestion and prevents gas. You can also add caraway seeds and bay leaves, which have similar effects.