Make better Refried Beans

[alux]

I am feeling like a Good Samaritan tonight and in the hope of stamping out crap refried beans, try this:

Sauté some onions (as much or little as you fancy), lightly chopped in a bit of veg oil. Add some thyme then reheat the beans. Much better than straight from the can.

for another twist, add jalapeno slices and fresh coriander leaves. YUM I want some now!


If you want to make your own: open a couple cans of kidney beans and drain. Add fresh water and bring to a boil.(I do it till they start to split.) Add an onion chopped, blk pepper and thyme then simmer for an hr or so. If you want to add salt, do so at the very end as salt keeps the skins from softening up for some reason.


Now put them in a blender to make yr own 'refried beans' with just a bit of the soup from the beans. If you take the soup and blend a few beans in it to a consistency you like. It makes a great soup. Garnish with a bit of single or double cream at the top.

There! that's my good deed for today.

[Aero]

alux -you are indeed a gem - I am cooking for eight on Saturday night and fajitas is on the menu and dh is requesting refried beans!! Just wait 'til he sees this! (He's away on business but back v late tonight!!)He'll be delighted. I've been wondering how to make our own. Great thread!

[alux]

oh, then make the refried beans as a dip - jalapeño all blended in with coriander leaves. you control the thickness of the dip with some water or the 'soup' from the beans.

If you want to make a cheese dip too - dice and blend the cheese (any cheap cheese will do) with milk (amt to your fancy) along with jalapeños to taste.

[Aero]

Sounds great - thanks!