Wash the beans and soak overnight in cold water. Drain the beans and place in a large pot with flavor choices. You can select smoked ham hocks, or a classic aromatics including carrots, parsley, celery, bay leaf , or both.

Over medium-high heat, bring the beans to a boil, then cover the pot and reduce the heat to medium-low. You may skim the foam

Allow the beans to cook until almost tender, turn off heat , add salt and let sit for 10 minutes before draining away liquid. By all lmeans reserve the liquid you have simmered teh beans in.

Blackbeans may require 90-120 minutes, while canneloni may require only 1 hour. You will in all probability cook some more with them depending on whether you are making a feijoada with black beans or soup with canelonni. The objective is to plump them to full size, infuse with flavor, and cook enough so that they will remain fairly intact when ultimately served in finished dish.

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