[Virginia Foodie]

I'm curious;

About five days ago I soaked Cannellini beans overnight but never got around to using them. I had to go out of town and now they've been in the refrigerator, drained, covered in a soup stockpot for approximately five days.

I just looked at them and they appear fine and there's no odor. Is there any reason I shouldn't go ahead and use them now for soup?

Thanks in advance!!

-Bruce

[Suzanne]

They've been refrigerated since you drained them? Then they should be fine. Believe me, if they had fermented, you'd know it. I would give them a rinse before cooking them, though.

BTW: here's a link to some good advice on cooking beans, from a friend of mine who happens to sell incredibly wonderful beans. Even if you don't buy from him, follow his tips and you'll have better beans.

[Virginia Foodie]

Thanks Suzanne---I went ahead a cooked 'em up into a nice sausage-bean soup and from initial tasting--they're VERY fine!

[siduri]

sometimes they will sprout - but no problem, since bean sprouts are not bad for you. may change the taste, but that's fine.

[Beemerchef]

That reminds me, as I use to make a Persian Soup that had a variety of 6 or 7 beans... one of my line cooks left them out ovenight... middle of the summer... YES... you would know if they were not good... even covered... I could not get near them!!!... I almost made him eat them!!! (I know... just a joke... not nice!).

Be well... Ara

[Suzanne]

Originally Posted by Beemerchef

That reminds me, as I use to make a Persian Soup that had a variety of 6 or 7 beans... one of my line cooks left them out ovenight... middle of the summer... YES... you would know if they were not good... even covered... I could not get near them!!!... I almost made him eat them!!! (I know... just a joke... not nice!).

Be well... Ara

Oh, I've done that. But just once. And fortunately at home, not at work. It's amazing how bad they can smell, that fast.