Directions

1. Rinse and sort through the dried beans. Put the beans in a large colander, a few at a time, and pick through them. Discard any weird bits and pieces like rock, clumps of dirt, badly broken beans or shriveled bits. Rinse, swish, and look through them again. Flick them into the soaking and cooking pot, a few at a time, checking the beans carefully one last time.
2. Place the rinsed and sorted beans into the pot and fill with water to about two inches above the beans. Either cover and let sit overnight to soak, or, to do the quick soak method, place your beans and water on the stove over high heat. Bring to a boil and boil for 2-3 minutes. Remove the pot from heat and cover. Let sit for 1 hour.
3. Drain the soaking water, rinse and swish the soaked beans, and drain again.