[Food] Homemade refried beans.

Recipe for Refried Beans

Ingredients:

Beans:
• 2 cups black beans (soaked for 24 hours)
• 2 cups pinto beans (soaked for 24 hours)

Vegetables:
• 1/2 medium-sized sweet onion, finely chopped
• 2 jalapeño peppers, finely chopped
• 1 habanero pepper, finely chopped
• 1 medium-sized red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced

Seasoning:
• 1 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Additional 1/2 tablespoon salt (for frying)

Cooking Oil:
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil (for sautéing)
• Additional 2 tablespoons coconut oil (added while frying)

Instructions:

1 Prep the Beans: Soak 2 cups each of black and pinto beans in water for 24 hours. This will yield about 4 cups of soaked beans.

2 Prepare the Vegetables: Finely chop the onion, jalapeños, habanero, red bell pepper, and garlic.

3 Boil the Beans: Drain the soaked beans and place them in a pot. Add 4 cups of fresh water and bring to a soft boil. Boil for 50 minutes, then add 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Continue boiling for an additional 10 minutes or until the beans are soft but not overcooked. Total boiling time should be about 1 hour. Reserve about 1 cup of the cooking water, then thoroughly drain the beans.

4 Fry the Vegetables: In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of coconut oil over low flame. Add the chopped onion, jalapeños, habanero, red bell pepper, and minced garlic. Sauté until soft. Then, add an additional 2 tablespoons of coconut oil.

5 Mash the Beans: Gradually add the drained beans to the skillet in batches (about 1/3 at a time), mashing them with a potato masher or a traditional Mexican tool. While mashing, add about 1/4 cup of the reserved boiling water to achieve your desired consistency. Add more salt to taste, incorporating an additional 1/2 tablespoon of salt if desired.

6 Optional: Use a Food Processor: If you prefer a smoother texture, you can use a food processor. Fill it only halfway to ensure it operates properly. Blend until smooth.

7 Clean Up: Be prepared for some cleanup, especially if using a food processor!

Tips:
Flavor Variations:
• Consider adding spices like cumin or chili powder for extra flavor.

Serving Suggestions:
• Serve with tortillas, rice, or as a side dish to your favorite Mexican meal.

Storage:
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

This made two quart containers.