Basic Refried Beans

Ingredients · 4 servings

• 1 cupPinto beans, dried
• 1Yellow onion, chopped
• 1 tbspGarlic, minced
• 1Jalapeno, chopped, whole, seeded
• ½ cupVegetable oil
• 1 tspGround cumin
• ½ tspSalt
• ½ cupMonterey jack cheese, shredded

Equipment

stovetop, large skillet, medium pot, potato masher, serving spoon, wooden spoon

Instructions

1. 1
   Boil dried beans

   Gather a medium pot and stovetop, rinse the dried pinto beans, add them to the pot, cover with water by 5 cm, and bring to a rolling boil. · 10 min

   What to look for: water boiling vigorously

2. 2
   Simmer until tender

   Reduce to a low simmer and cook the pinto beans until very tender, adding water as needed to keep them submerged. · 2 h

   What to look for: beans soft and easily pierced

3. 3
   Mash the beans

   Remove the pot from heat and mash the cooked pinto beans with a potato masher or spoon to your desired consistency. · 5 min

   What to look for: thick and partially smooth

4. 4
   Cook the onion

   Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add the chopped yellow onion and sauté until translucent. · 5 min

   What to look for: onion soft and glossy

5. 5
   Bloom aromatics

   Add the minced garlic, chopped jalapeno, and ground cumin to the skillet and cook until fragrant, stirring constantly. · 5 min

   What to look for: fragrant and lightly sizzling

6. 6
   Refry the beans

   Stir the mashed beans and some cooking liquid into the skillet with the aromatics, season with salt, and cook over low heat until thick and cohesive. · 10 min

   What to look for: creamy and pulling from the pan

7. 7
   Finish and serve

   Spoon the refried beans onto a serving dish, top with shredded Monterey jack cheese, and serve warm. · 2 min

   What to look for: cheese beginning to melt