I plan on growing beans this summer in the garden (the baking kind) But as of yet I have not had any that tasted better-or even as good as Heinz! I have a pretty picky husband, and even pickier children..so the day they say they taste like the canned ones, I'm doing well :) ALSO: while I'm here- When making Goat milk soap, do I add the lye directly to the milk? Or add it to the water first, then the milk? I tried for the first time last week-it didn't say any different, so I added it directly to the milk. It turned a yucky orange, and smelled aweful. I threw it out. (I wouldn't want to have to wash my hands..after washing my hands with soap!!) The next night I tried just regular soap and it worked fine.

Thank you in advance for any responses, God Bless

Aimee Gosse.

-- aimeegosse (aimeegosse@hotmail.com), March 01, 2002

Answers

It does turn a strange color and smells really awful. Too bad you threw it out. Try again! I don't think it matters which you mix it with as long as the temp. is right. Can't you mix the water and milk together then add the lye? I think that is how I did it.

Susan

-- Susan in Minnesota (nanaboo@paulbunyan.net), March 01, 2002.

Dear Aimee, here is the way I make them, hope you like them. Soak beans,rinse, cook,and drain.Saute 1-cup chopped onion,1-cup diced bellpepper,1-cup sliced mushroom. Stir into beans. Spread 1-cup brown sugar over top of beans. Then place several pcs.of your favorite smoked bacon on top.bake in oven 350 for 1-hour covered,then uncovered for 20 minutes.This is for 2 lbs. of dried beans,sorry I forgot to tell you in the begining.

-- Tim (goathillfarm50@aol.com), March 01, 2002.

Aimee, on the goat's milk soap you can use the milk as part or all of your liquid. BUT-first freeze the milk in ice trays. Each section of a normal size ice tray holds about 1 oz of liquid. Be sure to weigh though to be sure. If you are using water and milk, mix the lye and water first, then add the oils and before it saponifies add the milk. If using just the milk, add the lye to the frozen cubes and the lye will melt it. Good luck.

-- Sheila in NC (nannie@intrstar.net), March 01, 2002.