Refried beans rbtn28a

8 servings

Ingredients

Quantity Ingredient
4 cups Black or pinto beans
2 cups Water or vegetable broth

Directions

Using a blender or food processor, blend approximately one cup of beans with just enough liquid to get a smooth puree. If any cooked onion wedges, celery stalks, whole garlic cloves, etc. are available, puree these along with the beans for flavor. They won't affect the consistency. Do this in a few batches, if necessary. Place refried beans in a plastic bowl for storage. If you don't cook for an army, freeze small amounts in smaller plastic containers. Thaw out in the refrigerator as needed. For extra zip (do this to a batch the kids won't be eating!), include fresh jalapenos, canned green chili peppers, Tabasco sauce, or any ground chili paste product during the pureeing process. Also include a one-to-one mixture of ground cumin and oregano for a more authentic Mexican flavor. I add a small amout of tomato sauce and fresh garlic cloves when pureeing. Be creative.

Just make sure that the consistency of the beans is such that they will hold their shape in a tortilla. For quick burritos, simply place 2-3 tablespoons of refried beans in a tortilla, heat in a microwave, and eat! Serve with your favorite salsa or picante sauce. Kids may prefer to see a sprinkling of cheese over the beans, but you can always use skim cheese! Non-fat sour cream or fresh chopped tomatoes are also nice additions.

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