Dried beans are an economical and better tasting alternative to using those from a can (which are admittedly a convenient and certainly appropriate shortcut), and they don't take much hands on time to prepare. Just pop them in a bowl with cold water to cover and let soak for a day or two before draining and cooking. A pressure cooker reduces the cooking time significantly. In this dish, the beans are simmered with sauteed shrimp just before serving.