Dried beans cooking lessons

If I don't have time to soak overnight, I'll bring them to the boil first and then leave them to soak as long as possible before boiling for 15 mins, changing the water and then boiling until soft. The time it takes depends on the age - my pea beans from last year only take about twenty minutes. I don't add salt as I was taught it slowed the softening time as do tomatoes. I have never actually tried cooking them with salt or tomatoes to verify this!