In an ongoing effort to reduce the amount of processed and packaged food in our lives, we have started to buy dried beans in bulk instead of canned ones. Of course it requires more effort and some planning, but I was quite thrilled with the end result when I made refried beans from scratch.
Ingredients:
Pinto beans, dried (1 cup)
Lard or rendered fat or butter if you want it to be vegetarian
Method:
Soak the pinto beans in water overnight or for approximately 8 to 10 hours. Rinse the beans, and bring them to a boil with 2 cups of water in a 2 quart saucepan. Reduce and simmer till cooked through. Of course you can add more water along the way if you feel necessary. Once the beans are done, heat the rendered fat/butter in a flat bottomed frying pan. Drain the beans (but make sure to save the water) and add to the fat. Mix thoroughly then start to mash the beans with the ladle. Keep adding water as you go along so as not to make the mixture too dry. You should end up a mushy consistency once all the beans have been mashed. The amount of water you would add depends on the consistency you like.Your made-from-scratch refried beans is ready!
Note: You could also saute in some onions (these would need to be sauteed in the fat/butter before you put in the beans) if you want to add more flavor to the beans.
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