canned/boxed or bulk beans and rice?

[journey]

Which do you use? I've always used canned beans, boxed instant brown rice, but wanted to try cheaper/better for you bulk beans and rice.

I tried to cook about 12 servings of rice in the microwave (to freeze in individual portions for later) - but it took forever, and never did seem to get thoroughly cooked (brown basmati) - should I not being trying to microwave such large quantities?

Beans - soaked overnight, but still took a long time to cook. I'm wondering if canned beans are really that much more expensive and better for you to make it worth the extra time/work. Any thoughts?

[ellaminnowpea]

It's definitely WAAAAYYY cheaper to buy all this kind of stuff in bulk. I don't know about the time/expense factor for you. I buy canned beans and don't eat rice, but the canned beans are worth it for me whilst in school running between classes and work. I think that ones up to you.

I've never tried to microwave rice, though. I'd try using a rice cooker instead, especially if its not cooking thoroughly.

[journey]

I'm not sure I know what a rice cooker is - is that like a steamer?

[ellaminnowpea]

They're just little pots with like a steel bowl inside. You plug it in and it cooks rice! Its just called a rice cooker!

[bryzee86]

Do you not just have a normal cooker, journey?

[journey]

I've got a steamer, and could just cook it in a normal pot on the stove, but have the mess. Always seems easier to wash up if I just nuke stuff. But I've been told that microwaving it probably was the problem, and microwaving large quantities is just not time efficient like it is with small quantities anyway.

[ellaminnowpea]

Personally, I wouldn't use the microwave if possible. I don't think its healthy and/ or any more beneficial than cooking it in a steamer/ rice cooker/ pot. It may take longer to cook rather than microwave, but imo its much healthier to cook it.

[beanstew]

I keep a few tins of kidney beans in the cupboard for quick chilies but think that dried have a better texture and flavour and I can find far more varieties than I can in tins. If I do a big chili or bean stew I'll get several meals out of it so I think it's worth the time and energy to cook. I use the microwave for reheating and defrosting but that's about it.

[journey]

I think I'm also coming to the conclusion that for big pots of something (that I can then freeze leftovers) it's worth the extra work.