Chorizo Refried Beans Recipes

SOPES WITH CHORIZO REFRIED BEANS AND A TANGY SLAW

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place the oil in a large pot and heat to 350 degrees F.
• For the sopes: Mix the masa harina, chicken stock, cumin and salt and form a soft dough. To form the sopes, grab a small ball of dough and form mini "soup bowls" about 4 inches in diameter. Repeat until all the dough has been used. Place on a sheet tray and bake in the oven for 5 minutes, just to set the dough. Set aside until ready to fry.
• For the beans: In the meantime, pull the sausage from the casings and break apart. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the sausage, breaking it up in the pan, and cook until the fat starts rendering, about 5 minutes. Add the onions and garlic to the pan and sweat for 3 to 5 minutes. Add the pinto beans and cook for another 5 minutes. Using a potato masher, mash the beans into the chorizo mixture, making sure to scrape the bottom of the pan. Mix well and cook for another 5 minutes until everything is incorporated. Season with salt and pepper. Hold warm over low heat, making sure the bottom doesn't burn.
• For the slaw: In a dry skillet, toast the fennel until fragrant and set aside. In a bowl, mix lime juice, jalapenos, cucumber, cabbage, cilantro and onions. Season with salt and pepper and add the toasted fennel. Let stand to bring the flavors together.
• For the chile sauce: In a dry pan, toast the chiles until fragrant, remove and set aside. Return the pan to medium heat, add the olive oil, onions and garlic. Sweat until translucent, about 5 minutes. Mince the chiles and add them with the tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper and simmer, about10 minutes. Let the mixture cool a bit, then add to a blender and puree until smooth.
• To assemble: Carefully drop the sopes into the hot oil, 2 at a time, and fry until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Remove and hold on a paper towel-lined sheet tray. Repeat with the remaining sopes.
• Take a sope and layer with the chorizo and bean mixture, then the slaw and drizzle the tomato chile sauce over the top. Serve with lime wedges as garnish, if desired.

HOMEMADE CHORIZO, REFRIED BEAN AND CHEDDAR QUESADILLAS

Steps:

• Heat the lard in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the ground pork, ancho powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, cinnamon, clove and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring and breaking up the meat, until brown, about 4 minutes. Add 1/2 cup water, bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl.
• Lay a tortilla on a work surface and top evenly with 1/2 cup Cheddar. Add 1/4 of the chorizo, 1/4 of the beans and some jalapeno. Fold the tortilla in half to enclose fillings. Repeat with remaining tortillas and ingredients.
• Melt 1/2 tablespoon butter in a large non-stick or cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Cook the quesadilla, flipping once, until the cheese is melted and it is golden brown on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Remove to a cutting board and repeat with the remaining quesadillas.
• Cut into triangles and serve with guacamole, salsa, chopped scallions and sour cream.

CHORIZO REFRIED BEANS

Steps:

• Finely chop the chorizo into small dice. In a heavy-bottomed pot add olive oil and chorizo. Put the pot over low heat and slowly bring the heat up to medium. Fry the chorizo for a few minutes to infuse the olive oil. Using a slotted spoon remove about 1/4 cup of chorizo, for garnish, and set aside. To the remaining chorizo in the pot add the onion and garlic and fry until both are cooked, about 2 minutes. Add the beans with their liquid and stock and simmer to allow the flavors to come together about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Use a potato masher to mash the beans into a coarse puree. Alternatively, you could let the beans cool for about 5 minutes and carefully puree in a food processor until smooth. Transfer to a serving bowl.