Refried Beans

Makes about 12 servings (!).

Ingredients:

- 1 pound pinto beans

- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, or bacon drippings, or a combination
- 1 cup diced onion

- 8 cups water
- 1 fresh jalapeno pepper, halved and seeded

- salt and pepper, to taste

- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, or bacon drippings, or a combination
- 1 cup diced onion

- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 cup bean cooking liquid or water
- salt, to taste

- crumbed queso fresco, feta, or grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Pick over beans to remove any foreign objects, rocks, etc. Rinse and drain.

In a large saucepan over medium heat, heat 3 tablespoons oil. Add 1 cup diced onions. Cook, stirring often, until the onions are deep golden brown in color (about 10 minutes).

Stir in the beans, water, and jalapeno. Remove any beans that float. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium low and simmer until the beans are thoroughly tender, about 1 hour. Stir the beans regularly and add water as needed to keep the liquid a generous 1/2" above the level of the beans.

Once the beans are tender, season with salt and pepper. Simmer on low for another 10-15 minutes for the beans to absorb the seasoning, then cover and reduce heat to low.

In a large saucepan over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons oil along with 1 cup diced onions. Cook, stirring often, until the onions are deep golden brown in color (about 10 minutes).

Add the garlic. Cook, stirring, for about 1 minute.

Using a slotted spoon, add about 1 cup of cooked beans to the onion mixture. Puree coarsely with a potato masher or the back of a large spoon, then add the next cupful of beans. Once all of the beans have been mashed, add the cooking liquid or 1 cup water.

Cook, stirring often, over low to medium heat, until the beans are a little soupier than you would like to serve them (they will thicken as they sit). Season with salt, to taste. Serve warm, topped with your personal favorite cheese. If you are cooking the beans the day ahead, save any leftover bean liquid to add, if necessary, when you reheat them.