Refrito Spread Recipes

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.

Steps:

• Mash the beans. It should make about 1 cup.
• Sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic in oil.
• When the onion is done, add the spices and chili pepper. Cook until the pepper is softened and the spices are fragrant.
• Remove from heat and cool slightly.
• Add to the mashed beans and mix.
• Add cheese and salt and mix.

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium. Add onion and cook until softened, 4-5 minutes. Add beans, garlic, and bell pepper and cook, stirring, until softened and warmed through, 4-5 minutes. Stir in chili powder and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute more.
• Pulse bean mixture, vinegar, oregano, 3/4 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. pepper, and 1/4 cup water in a food processor, adding water by the tablespoonful if needed, until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve warm or at room temperature.
• Do Ahead
• Bean dip can be made 3 days ahead. Store in an airtight container and chill.

Steps:

• Heat the lard in a skillet over low heat, add the beans, and cook, mashing and stirring, until quite dry and a wooden spoon pulled through the center of the beans forms a long canyon, 15 to 20 minutes.
• If preparing the beans central Mexico-style, serve immediately, topped with a little cheese, if desired. If preparing rolled beans, continue to cook until the mass of beans pulls away from the side of the skillet. Shake the pan back and forth, sliding the beans to one side, then tilt the pan so the mass of beans flips over into a roll, like an omelet. A spatula may be used to help turn it. Transfer to a platter, sprinkle with the cheese and onion, and accompany with the totopos.

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large frying pan and cook the onion and garlic for 2 mins. Add the cumin and cook for 1 min more. Tip in the beans, paprika and a splash of water. Using a potato masher, break the beans down as they warm through to make a rough purée. Season generously.
• Spread the refried beans onto 4 of the tortillas and scatter over the cheese and coriander. Spoon over the salsa, then top with the remaining tortillas to make 4 sandwiches. Wipe the frying pan with kitchen paper and return to the heat or heat a griddle pan. Cook each sandwich for 1-2 mins on each side until the tortillas are crisp and golden and the cheese is melting. Serve warm, cut into wedges, with extra salsa and soured cream for dipping.

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.