Scarlet runner beans are not only beautiful with their vibrant red flowers and striking pods, but they also make a delicious and nutritious addition to your meals. If you’ve ever wondered, how do you cook scarlet runner beans?-you’re in the right place. This guide will walk you through everything from prepping to cooking these wonderful beans, plus some tasty recipe ideas to get you started.
What Are Scarlet Runner Beans?
Scarlet runner beans are a type of climbing bean plant known for their bright red flowers and large, colorful pods. The beans inside are usually mottled purple, black, and brown, and they have a meaty, floury texture when cooked. You can eat the young pods like green beans or let the beans mature, dry, and then cook them like dried beans.
Preparing Scarlet Runner Beans for Cooking
Step 1: Washing and Sorting
Start by thoroughly washing the dried beans to remove any dirt, stones, or broken beans. This ensures you only cook the best quality beans.
Step 2: Soaking
Scarlet runner beans need to soak before cooking to soften and reduce cooking time. Soak them in plenty of water-about three times their volume-preferably overnight. This also helps reduce the beans’ tendency to cause bloating. For added benefits, you can add a pinch of sugar, bay leaves, or savory herbs to the soaking water.
If you’re short on time, you can use a quick soak method by boiling the beans for one minute in a pressure cooker, then letting them rest for an hour before cooking.
Cooking Scarlet Runner Beans
Boiling and Simmering
After soaking, drain the beans and rinse them. Place them in a pot with fresh water covering the beans by an inch or two. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer gently until the beans are tender. This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on the bean’s dryness and freshness.
Important: Do not add salt until the beans are fully cooked, as salt can toughen the bean skins and prevent them from softening properly.
Pressure Cooker Method
For a faster method, use a pressure cooker or Instant Pot:
– Sort and rinse the beans.
– Soak overnight or use the quick soak method.
– Drain soaking water, add fresh water, salt, garlic cloves, and bay leaves.
– Pressure cook on high for about 20 minutes.
– Quick release the pressure and discard bay leaves and garlic.
This method saves time and retains great flavor.
Cooking Young Pods
If you have fresh, young scarlet runner bean pods, you can cook them like green beans:
– Wash and trim the pods.
– Steam or simmer them lightly with a bit of garlic or onion.
– Alternatively, stir-fry with oil and garlic for a quick, tasty side dish.
Flavorful Ways to Serve Scarlet Runner Beans
Simple Sautéed Beans with Tomatoes
A quick and delicious way to enjoy scarlet runner beans is to sauté them with onions, garlic, and fresh tomatoes. Here’s a simple outline:
– Sauté diced onions in olive oil until translucent.
– Add minced garlic and cook briefly.
– Add chopped scarlet runner beans and diced ripe tomatoes.
– Simmer gently for about 15 minutes.
– Season with herbal salt and chili flakes for a little kick.
– Serve as a side dish with rice or pasta.
Scarlet Runner Bean and Merguez Stew
For a hearty meal, try a stew combining scarlet runner beans with spicy merguez sausage and fall vegetables:
– Sauté onion, jalapeño, and bell peppers in olive oil.
– Add garlic and cook a bit more.
– Drain soaked beans and add them to the pot with chicken broth.
– Simmer until beans are tender (about 1.5 hours).
– Brown merguez sausage separately, then add tomatoes and reserved pepper mixture to deglaze the pan.
– Combine everything and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
– Season with salt, pepper, and fresh parsley.
This stew is perfect for cooler evenings and showcases the beans’ rich, meaty texture.
Scarlet Runner Bean Salsa
You can also make a flavorful salsa by cooking the beans with onions, garlic, and fire-roasted tomatoes, then seasoning with chipotle flakes, chili powder, coriander, and apple cider vinegar. This salsa pairs well with grilled meats or as a dip.
Tips for Cooking Scarlet Runner Beans
– Always soak dried beans before cooking to reduce cooking time and improve digestibility.
– Avoid adding salt or acidic ingredients like tomatoes until the beans are fully cooked to prevent tough skins.
– Use herbs like bay leaves or savory during soaking or cooking to enhance flavor and reduce bloating.
– Leftover cooked beans freeze well in their cooking broth for easy future meals.
Scarlet runner beans are versatile, nutritious, and delicious once you know how to prepare them properly. Whether you enjoy them fresh, sautéed, stewed, or in a spicy salsa, these beans bring vibrant color and hearty flavor to your table. Give them a try and enjoy the rich taste of this garden treasure.
Enjoy cooking and savor every bite!