Refried Beans

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups of dry pinto beans (about 1 lb or 450gm)
• 3 quarts of water
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 Tbsp pork lard, bacon fat, or olive oil
• 1/4 cup water
• Salt to taste
• Cheddar cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the beans in water.
2. Put beans into a pot and cover beans with at least 3 inches of water - about 3 quarts for 2 1/2 cups of dry beans.
3. Bring to a boil and then lower heat to simmer, covered, for about 2 1/2 hours.
4. The beans are done when they are soft and the skin is just beginning to break open.
5. Strain the beans from the cooking water.
6. Add the onions and lard/fat/oil to a wide, sturdy frying pan on medium high heat.
7. Cook onions until translucent.
8. Add the strained beans and about a 1/4 cup of water to the pan.
9. Using a potato masher, mash the beans in the pan, while you are cooking them, until they are a rough purée.
10. Add more water if necessary to keep the fried beans from getting too dried out.
11. Add salt to taste.
12. Add a few slices of cheddar cheese, or some (1/2 cup) grated cheddar cheese if you want.
13. When beans are heated through and the cheese melted, the beans are ready to serve.