Refried Black Beans

I LOVE black beans … especially refried black beans. And I know they’re not traditional Mexican … but they taste a lot more earthy and flavorful than their pinto bean counterparts.

And rather than grabbing yet another can at Whole Foods, I decided this time to make my own beans from dried. They're obviously a bit more labor-intensive, but worth every bit of prep.

For the beans:

1 lb black beans

1 garlic clove, peeled

1 bay leaf

½ cinnamon stick

1 dried ancho chile

handful fresh herbs (i.e. cilantro or oregano) tied with twine

1 tbsp coarse salt

For the refried beans:

1 tbsp olive or coconut oil (omit if using non-stick or use cooking spray)

1 or 2 cloves garlic, minced

4 cups cooked black beans (from previous recipe)

bean cooking water, reserved

6 oz can tomato paste (or 3 Tbsp. paste concentrate) or to taste

4 oz can mild Ortega chiles

1 tsp cumin, or to taste

2 tsp mild New Mexico ground chili pepper (or whatever heat you desire)

1 tsp salt

½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

For the beans:

Rinse beans. Place in 4-quart pot and cover with several inches of water. Refrigerate overnight.

Add onion, garlic, bay leaf, cinnamon stick, ancho chile, and fresh herbs to pot and additional water to cover by several inches if necessary.

Bring pot to boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer beans, uncovered, for 45 minutes or until just tender.

Add the salt and cook 20 to 30 minutes more until soft. Let cool in cooking liquid, and remove bay leaf, cinnamon, chile, and herbs. Makes 4 to 5 cups.

For the Refried Beans:

Drain beans in colander over bowl, reserving cooking liquid.

Heat oil (or cooking spray) in large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until soft and beginning to brown.

Add drained beans and mash ... mash ... mash with fork or other utensil. Add reserved cooking liquid in small amounts to taste until beans are desired consistency.

Add tomato paste, can of chiles, chili pepper, and cumin to beans. Combine well.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

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Refried Black Beans