I think this is where a pressure cooker comes in handy. I can make white rice from dry in only 8 minutes of cook time. I haven't tried beans yet, but I have them on hand, just haven't gotten around to it.
I have yet to venture into the realm of pressure cooking. My 23 quart pressure cooker is only used for mason jars. :-) Plus it being aluminuminum limits the type of fuels I can use with it.