Instructions: * Increase soaking time and cooking time in hard water or high altitudes.

* Add any acid substances, such as lemon juice, vinegar, tomatoes or wine at the end of cooking time. Acid makes beans firm.

Do the math

* A pound of beans is about 2 cups.

* Beans triple in volume when soaked and cooked. A cup of dried beans will yield 3 cups cooked. A pound will yield 6 cups.

* For soaking, use 3 cups of water per cup of dried beans.

* Simmer each pound of beans 2 hours after soaking.

* A pound of dried beans = 9 servings of baked beans.

* A pound of dried beans = 12 servings of bean soup. __

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