Refried Beans

Refried Beans

adapted from Simply Recipes

•2 1/2 cups of dry pinto beans (about 1 lb or 450gm)
•3 quarts of water
•1/2 cup chopped onion (optional)
•2 Tbsp pork lard, bacon fat, or olive oil
•1/4 cup water
•Salt to taste
•Cumin to taste (I put in about 1 tsp to a HALVED recipe)
•Monterey Jack or Cheddar cheese (optional)
1.Rinse the beans in water and remove any small stones, pieces of dirt, or bad beans.
2.Cook the beans in water.
3.Pressure Cooker method Put beans into a 4 quart pressure cooker with a 15 lb weight. Fill up the pressure cooker with water, up to the line that indicates the capacity for the pot. Cook for 30-35 minutes - until the beans are soft and the skins are barely breaking open.
4.Regular method Put beans into a pot and cover beans with at least 3 inches of water - about 3 quarts for 2 1/2 cups of dry beans. Bring to a boil and then lower heat to simmer, covered, for about 2 1/2 hours. The cooking time will vary depending on the batch of beans you have. The beans are done when they are soft and the skin is just beginning to break open.
5.Strain the beans from the cooking water.
6.Add the onions and lard/fat/oil to a wide, sturdy (not with a flimsy stick-free lining) frying pan on medium high heat.

7.Cook onions until translucent.
8.Add the strained beans and about a 1/4 cup of water to the pan (I use the bean water by straining the beans and allowing its juice to pour into a liquid measuring cup).

9.Using a potato masher, mash the beans in the pan, while you are cooking them, until they are a rough purée. Add more water if necessary to keep the fried beans from getting too dried out.

10.Add salt and cumin to taste.

11.Add a few slices of Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese, or some (1/2 cup) grated cheddar cheese if you want.

12.When beans are heated through (and optional cheese melted) the beans are ready to serve.