Cooking and Baking Secrets

• Flour.  The King Arthur Flour website indicates that 1 cup of all-purpose flour is equivalent to 120 grams. A measurement of 125 grams has always worked better for me. 

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• Beans.  Beans have to be soaked overnight, period. Soaking them for a few hours in hot water will not give the same results. Pick over beans to make sure there are no small pebbles or other debris before soaking overnight. Use 2 quarts (8 cups, approximately 2 liters) of water and 1 tablespoon of table salt or 2 tablespoons of kosher salt. The salt helps soften the outside of the beans and allows water to be absorbed. The beans will plump up nicely duplicating or even triplicating in size. This method will also allow the beans to be evenly cooked, more tender, and better seasoned. Discard the soaking water and rinse the beans and cook them in fresh water with more salt.