the_information_nexus/food_related/beans/frijoles_refritos.md

Slow Cooker Refried Beans

Ingredients:

• 1 lb pinto beans, rinsed and soaked overnight
• 1 white onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons lard, bacon fat, vegetable oil, or unsalted butter
• Salt to taste
• 4 cups of vegetable broth (or enough to cover the beans)
• Optional ingredients as per variations (bacon, chorizo, cheese, jalapeños, cream)

Instructions:

1. Bean Prep: Drain and rinse the soaked beans.
2. Slow Cooker Combine: Place the beans, onion, garlic, and vegetable broth in the slow cooker. Ensure beans are covered by the broth.
3. Cooking: Set the slow cooker on HIGH for 4-5 hours or LOW for 6-8 hours, or until the beans are very tender.
4. Refrying in Skillet: Once the beans are cooked, heat the lard (or other fat) in a large skillet over medium heat. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the beans to the skillet, saving the cooking liquid. Fry the beans, mashing them with a potato masher or back of a spoon. Add reserved cooking liquid as needed to reach your desired consistency.
5. Seasoning: Season with salt and serve warm.

Variations:

1. Bacon Refried Beans: Start by frying 2-3 strips of chopped bacon in the skillet. Use the rendered fat to fry the beans.
2. Chorizo Refried Beans: Sauté 1/2 lb of chorizo before adding the beans. Break it up well and combine.
3. Cheesy Refried Beans: Stir in 1 cup of grated cheese (like cheddar or Monterey Jack) at the end until melted.
4. Spicy Refried Beans: Add 1-2 chopped jalapeños or serrano chilies with the beans in the slow cooker.
5. Creamier Beans: Add a splash of cream or a dollop of sour cream after mashing, stir until combined.

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Refried Cowboy Beans

Ingredients:

• Beans from the Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans recipe (strained, liquid reserved)
• 3 tablespoons lard, bacon fat, or vegetable oil
• Additional salt and pepper, to taste (if needed)

Instructions:

1. Refrying Beans: Heat the chosen fat (lard, bacon fat, or vegetable oil) in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Transfer the strained Cowboy Beans to the skillet. Use a potato masher or the back of a spoon to mash the beans, adding reserved cooking liquid as needed to reach your desired consistency.
3. Taste and Adjust: Since the Cowboy Beans already have a good deal of seasoning, taste them and adjust with more salt or pepper if needed.
4. Serving: Serve warm with toppings of your choice, such as cheese, sour cream, or chopped cilantro.

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