The old, dead, mollusk still has a huge amount to offer science, reports the Herald-Sun. Scientists believe it will provide valuable data on changing sea temperatures over the last half-millenniumâand maybe even some clues to longevity.
Method. 1. Soak the beans. Rinse the dried beans in water and put them in a large bowl. Cover with at least 4 times their volume of water and leave to soak overnight. 2. Drain and rinse the beans and put them into a pot with a heavy lid. Add just enough cold water to cover them. 3. Add the rosemary, garlic, and a drizzle of olive oil. Bring the beans to a boil, then cover and simmer them gently for 20 to 30 minutes or until the beans are tender but not mushy. The cooking time will depend on the size and age of the beans.
Drain and rinse the beans before cooking them. Quick-soak method: Rinse the beans, then put in a saucepan, cover with an inch of water, and bring to a boil. Boil for a few minutes and then let them soak for an hour off the heat, drain, and then add fresh water and continue cooking. Soaked beans will cook in about 90 minutes. Use 3 cups of water for each cup of uncooked beans, and you can season the beans by adding bay leaves, herb sprigs, or garlic cloves to the cooking water.