Creamy Refried Black Beans Recipes

Steps:

• In a large skillet over medium heat, add lard. When lard has melted and begun to shimmer, add onions; adjust heat to medium-low, stir, and cook until translucent and soft, 6-8 minutes. Add 2 cups of Soupy Black Beans, well drained, to the skillet. Use a potato masher to mast beans directly in the skillet, while alternately stirring with a wooden spoon, until the mixture becomes a thick, creamy, relatively uniform paste. (Alternatively, you can use a blender.) When the refried beans have reached the appropriate consistency, taste and season with salt as necessary. Makes about 2 cups. (Use Refied Black Beans in Chef Camara's Torta Ahogada recipe.)
• Add water to a medium saucepan over medium-high heat; then add beans, epazote, and garlic. Season with salt, stir, and bring to a boil. Turn heat to low, cover, and cook at a gentle simmer until beans are soft but not falling apart, about 40-60 minutes (checking after 30 minutes).
• Check beans for doneness by removing one from the pan and squeezing; it should be easily mashable. Taste and season with salt as necessary. Serve as a side dish, garnished with oregano. Makes about 4 cups.

Steps:

• If using dried beans, rinse and drain 1 lb. dried black beans in a colander or fine-mesh sieve; transfer to a large bowl. Pour in water to cover by 2" and let soak in refrigerator at least 4 hours and up to 12 hours.
• Heat 5 Tbsp. vegetable oil in a small pot over medium-high. Cook ¼ large white onion, thinly sliced, 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced, and ½ medium jalapeño, thinly sliced, stirring often, until beginning to take on some color, 6-8 minutes. Add 3 bay leaves, 1½ pasilla chiles, halved, seeds removed, 1 guajillo chile, halved, seeds removed, 1 Tbsp. ground cumin, 2 tsp. dried oregano, 1½ tsp. dried thyme, and 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper. Cook, stirring often, until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
• If using dried beans, add beans and their soaking liquid to pot and pour in more water so beans are covered by 2". Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, adding more water as needed to keep beans submerged, until beans are tender, 45-55 minutes.
• If using canned beans, add three (15.5-oz.) cans black beans (do not rinse) to pot and pour in more water so beans are covered by 2". Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, adding more water as needed to keep beans submerged, until flavors have come together, 15-20 minutes.
• Drain beans in a fine-mesh sieve set over a large bowl; remove bay leaves and discard. Working in 2 batches if needed, purée bean mixture and ¾ cup bean broth in a blender, adding more bean broth if needed, until thick and hummus-like in consistency. Taste and season with salt. Discard any remaining bean broth. Do ahead: Beans can be cooked 5 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill. Reheat over low, stirring often.

Steps:

• Place black beans into a large container and cover with several inches of cool water; let stand 8 hours to overnight. Drain.
• Place beans in a pot and add enough water to cover; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer beans until very tender, about 1 hour.
• Heat oil in a skillet over medium; cook and stir onion and garlic until onion is soft and translucent, about 10 minutes. Add black beans, green chiles, chili powder, and cumin; cook and stir until flavors blend, about 5 minutes.
• Blend black bean mixture in a food processor until smooth. Add tomato paste, chicken broth, vinegar, and salt; blend until desired consistency is reached. Return beans to pot and cook until heated through, about 5 minutes more.