Here’s the part nobody tells you in the recipe blogs: kidney beans are toxic raw. No joke. They contain a compound called phytohaemagglutinin, and if you undercook them, you’ll be spending quality time with your toilet. Not the romantic dinner your stomach had in mind.
So rule number one: boil them hard for 10 minutes before you do anything else. This kills the toxin. Then you can simmer them gently. Don’t skip this — I’m serious. You’ll thank me later.
