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When cooking beans, there are a few things to keep in mind: Too much stirring and overcooking can turn tender beans into puree. Once added to the pan, stir them occasionally on medium heat. Also, always drain the beans and rinse them with cool water in a colander so that the starchy liquid never gets into the pot. On the other hand, you also don't want the beans to be too tough, which occurs when you buy the dried kind that you presoak overnight. The trick to getting the best texture: Once the beans have softened, add a pinch of salt or another acidic ingredient, like tomatoes or vinegar, to keep them from tasting too chewy.