Mexican Refried Beans

Tip: Read directions completely before preparing.

Ingredients:

(For Preparing Pinto Beans)

1 pound dried pinto beans
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 small yellow onion, chopped

1/4 cup bacon drippings

(For Preparing Refried Beans)

3 cups cooked pinto beans

12 oz Hickory Smoked bacon, chopped

1/4 teaspoon fresh ground comino (cumin)

1/4 cup onion, finely chopped

1/8 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

2 cloves garlic, finely minced

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup water

Directions:

(For Preparing Beans)
Pick over beans to remove any bad beans, sediment, or small stones, that may be present. Wash the beans and place then in a large bowl and cover with water.  Let the beans soak at least six hours. Pour beans into colander and rinse thoroughly.

In a heavy pot add the beans, and salt. Add enough cold water to cover the beans.

The water should be at least twice as deep as the beans and heat to boiling. Lower heat to medium and cover, then let simmer for 2 hours or until beans are soft, adding additional water when necessary to keep water slightly above the beans during cooking.

Add the bacon drippings, chopped garlic, and chopped onion and cook for 45 more minutes, stirring occasionally.  Set aside.

(For Preparing Refried Beans)

In a large saute pan, over medium high heat, add 12 oz. of bacon and fry.

Remove the bacon and set aside.

Add the onions and saute them for about 3 minutes, then add the comino, pepper, and salt and cook another minute.

Add the 3 cups of beans and let fry, without stirring for about 3 minutes. Stir the beans and let fry another 2 minutes.

Lower heat to medium low and add the one cup of water and stir, then mash the beans with a potato masher.  Simmer and stir another 2 minutes.  Add extra salt, if needed, to taste.  Enjoy!

Tip: Did you know that in English, "re-" before a word means to do something over again, like in reorder or redo, but in Spanish, it means "well" or "very," so "refritos" actually means well fried and not twice fried like the name in English would suggest.