Frijoles True Border Refried Beans Recipes

AUTHENTIC MEXICAN REFRIED BEANS RECIPE (FRIJOLES REFRITOS)

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large frying pan, once it's hot add the onion and cook until browned and crispy (this gives it a great taste, or you can just sauté until tender.) Next add the dried or fresh chiles and cook just until they brown or begin to blister -- this happens quickly so be ready to proceed.
• Next add the boiled beans -- be careful because it will splash, allow to fry for about 3 minutes. Next add about ¼ cup of the broth and then begin mashing the beans until you achieve the desired texture. The broth will help with the mashing and you'll need to add a little bit of the broth to help you achieve the texture you desire.
• Continue to "fry" for about 5-8 minutes or until they have the consistency you want. Remember to adjust the consistency to your needs by cooking longer to thicken or adding more broth/water to thin out. Taste and add salt as desired.

FRIJOLES TRUE BORDER REFRIED BEANS

Steps:

• Pick through the beans and discard malforms and stones. Rinse the beans and cover with water. The water above the beans should be at least three inches. Bring to a hard boil and turn off heat. Let beans set for two hours and then drain.
• Put a tablespoon of shortening or lard in a large pot. Add the onions and cook until limp, add the garlic. Saute another two minutes and add the drained beans, the bay leaves, tablespoon of salt and enough water to cover plus two inches. Cover and simmer for two hours. Check to see that water covers the beans, you don't want to burn them or have too much water in them at the end of two hours. Test the beans for softness. If still a bit hard, cook until soft uncovered. The water level should be fairly low now, you want the beans moist but not runny when finished. Remove bay leaves!
• In another large pot add shortening or lard. I love really greasy beans but know it isn't good for me. So I use about a quarter cup and am quite happy. Melt the shortening and add a scoop of beans to fry (I use a spoon with slots in it to drain the liquid back in the pot). I add another spoon and another two spoonfuls, stirring. The fat only fries some of the beans. After five minutes add the rest of the pot of beans and stir well together.
• I use a handheld blender and whiz the beans to a consistency of all the beans being smushed but not of a uniform puree. I like texture to my frijoles. If too runny, simmer until thick again. If too thick, add water. Adjust the salt level before serving. Even better the second day!
• Some folks serve this in a bowl with a crumbly, salty cheese called cotijo seco on top, others with cheddar or fried chorizo sausage.

REFRIED BEANS: FRIJOLES REFRITOS

Steps:

• In a large stockpot, bring the beans to a boil in 8 cups water. Let boil for 15 minutes and skim off any scum that rises to the surface. Drain beans in a colander and rinse. Wash out the pot and return the beans to the pot with 8 cups fresh water. Bring to a simmer, cover and let cook until tender, about 2 hours over low heat.
• In a large saute pan, heat oil over medium-high heat until it begins to shimmer. Add onion and garlic and saute until the onion turns translucent. Add chili powder, salt, and pepper, and cook for a few minutes to allow flavors to integrate. Drain beans and add to pan, mashing the ingredients together. Heat through and serve with minced cilantro or minced parsley sprinkled on top.

FRIJOLES REFRITOS (REFRIED BEANS)

Steps:

• Combine water, pinto beans, and garlic into a large pot and cover; Cook over low heat for 5 1/2 hours; stir salt into beans and continue cooking until beans are very soft, about 30 minutes more.
• Heat canola oil in a skillet over high heat. Spoon the beans into the skillet without draining excess water; mash beans using a potato masher until they begin to lose their shape, about 3 minutes.

MEXICAN TAKE-OUT FRIJOLES REFRITOS (REFRIED BEANS)

Steps:

• Let the beans soak overnight in a large bowl, in enough water to cover them by 2 inches or quick-soak them by rinsing the beans in a colander under cold water and discard any discolored ones. Combine the beans in a soup pot with enough cold water to cover them by 2 inches, bring the water to a boil. Let the beans boil for 2 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and let the beans soak, covered, for 1 hour.
• Drain the beans, pour them back into a pan, and add enough water to cover them by 2 inches. Cook the beans over low heat, uncovered, for 30-45 minutes or until almost cooked through. Add the salt and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the beans are cooked and creamy inside. Add more hot water if necessary to keep the beans just covered.
• Drain the beans and reserve the liquid. Put the beans back in the pot with about 1 cup of their cooking liquid. Mash them with a potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon until they are creamy. Add more liquid if necessary.
• In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until deep golden brown, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook a minute or so, then add the mashed beans. Continue to cook, stirring about 10 minutes, or until the beans are the desired thickness. Add more bean liquid if you like your beans thinner. Taste and season with more salt if needed. Serve with the crumbled cheese.