"What, exactly, does dancing have to do with cooking beans thoroughly? The chef explains that since the temperature of the beans in the pot varies from top to bottom, adding enough water allows the beans to move around (to dance, if you will) so that heat can be evenly distributed during cooking. Starting off with lots of water in the pot - probably more than you think you need - ensures that all the beans cook at the same rate."
"In the cooking school video, Casella says that he likes to cook beans in plenty of water in a pot - just as he does with Stewart - or in the oven at his restaurants. While cooking beans on the stovetop seems simple enough, many people have opinions about the right way to do it. For instance, some home cooks call the trick of soaking beans overnight before cooking them unnecessary, since, contrary to popular belief, it actually doesn't"
Ample water allows beans to move in the pot so heat distributes evenly and prevents uneven cooking. Temperature varies from top to bottom in a pot, so starting with plenty of water ensures all beans cook at the same rate. A 3:1 water-to-beans ratio is recommended instead of merely covering beans by a couple of inches, enabling the beans to breathe and become al dente yet fully cooked. Beans can be cooked on the stovetop or in the oven. Several cooks debate whether overnight soaking is necessary for sufficient cooking.
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