Refried Beans

Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, 2002

Show: Emeril LiveEpisode: Emeril Salutes Houston

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (10)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(10)

Cook Time:
2 hr 15 min
Level:
Intermediate
Yield:
about 2 1/2 cups (4 to 6 servings)

Times:

Prep: 20 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 2 hr 15 min
Total:: 2 hr 35 min

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Ingredients

1 cup dried pinto beans, soaked overnight in a large bowl with water to cover by 2-inches, and drained
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup bacon drippings or lard
1 cup chopped yellow onions
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon minced, seeded jalapeno
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
Pinch cayenne
1/2 teaspoon chopped oregano
1/2 cup grated queso blanco
1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro, garnish

Directions

In a medium, heavy pot, combine the beans, bay leaf, and enough water to cover by 1 to 2 inches. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the beans are very tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours, adding more water as necessary to keep covered. When the beans are soft, mash in the pot with a potato masher or the back of heavy wooden spoon. Remove from the heat.

In a large, heavy skillet, heat the bacon fat over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring, until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic, jalapeno, chili powder, cumin, salt, and cayenne, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 45 seconds to 1 minute. Add the beans and any cooking liquid from the pot, and the oregano, and stir to combine. Cook, stirring with a heavy wooden spoon, until the mixture forms a thick paste, 5 to 10 minutes, adding water 1 tablespoon at a time to keep from getting dry.

Remove from the heat and transfer to a decorative bowl. Sprinkle with the cheese and cilantro, and serve.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Refried Beans
Edward White Bear Lake, MN 11-07-2009
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Did the miraculous!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I had a challenge to make Lima bean taste good. I found this recipe and it looked promising. The only change I needed to make... was I needed to make sure that they weren't too spicy. So I replaced the jalape?o with green chilies. Unbelievable. I never thought there would be a moment I would sit down and enjoy a bowl of Lima beans. It sounds funny even saying such a thing. I expect people will be shocked as I was to have completed such a challenge so well. I can't wait to try this with some "real" beans.Read more
recipe Refried Beans
Cecillia Surrey, BC 10-01-2009
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bland tasting beans
Rated: 2 stars out of 5

Half way into the simmering, I realized that the beans were going to be really bland tasting. So I went online in search for... ideas. Most recipes suggested putting the onions and spice mixture in the simmering water. So I did this. Afterwards, I fried the beans in a frying pan with the bacon fat (using only half the amount) and pour the rest of the bean liquid into the pan, reducing until the liquid dried up. Then I added salt, and mushed it up. It tasted great, but unfortunately the texture was kind of chalky...despite having cooked the beans forever...3 hrs or more. I didn't want to throw it out. So the next day, I put it into a crock pot on low for 6hrs. The result was delicious and the texture was perfect. All in all, it was a little too much work! Next time I think I'll try a different recipe, probably one involving a crock pot! Emeril...what happened??Read more
recipe Refried Beans
Anonymous 07-19-2008
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Delicious
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

These refried beans were easy and very satisfying. The entire family enjoyed them.
recipe Refried Beans
Kimberly Chicago, IL 05-31-2006
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Better than the ones in a can.
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

I made this recipe with a few modifications. First, I used canned pinto beans, then I pureed the beans instead of mashing... them. Finally, I cooked some chorizo in olive oil, added the veggies, then the beans. My family didn't know the difference. Pretty good.Read more
recipe Refried Beans
Katie College Station, TX 03-23-2006
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Add some flavor then they're good
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

I always tend to think seeding the jalapenos kind of defeats the purpose of using them. So I did it at first, but saved the... seeds in case it was too bland later. And I ended up using about 1/2 of the seeds to spruce it up.. or you could probably just add a bit more cayenne, i did that too. Don't skip the cilantro or cheese (I used jack b/c it was cheaper). I also used plenty of fresh oregano (more than it said). Also, if its too bland.. don't just use plain old salt at the end. "fiesta" brand makes a pinto bean seasoning... or I used what my grandmother used for all her cooking, Adobo Crollo (although I'm not sure if you can buy this in the States).Read more
recipe Refried Beans
M. Lake Villa, IL 02-12-2006
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It was OK
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

It was good but tons of work and the product is not all that better than what you get from a can.