Refried beans are a traditional Mexican dish made by boiling and mashing beans, then cooking them a second time over low heat. They are often served for breakfast or as a side dish and can be used in various recipes. Canned refried beans are available at most grocery stores.
Refried beans or frijoles refritos are a traditional Mexican dish made with beans. Generally, they are created using pinto beans, but some cooks use pink or red beans instead. The beans are boiled and mashed, then cooked a second time over low heat. The Spanish name is translated to mean “chill beans” and is an apt description of how the dish is prepared.
To prepare basic refried beans, pinto beans or kidney beans are cooked thoroughly, then any excess water or broth is drained from them. While still hot, the beans are mashed until only a few lumps remain. Simple spices, such as salt and pepper, are sometimes added during the purification process. Once the ingredients have been thoroughly blended, the mixture is placed in a pan and cooked over low heat. In order to enhance the flavour, the lard is often melted in the pan just before the bean mixture is introduced, although shortening or vegetable oil may be used instead.
Traditionally, refried beans are served for breakfast as an accompaniment to eggs. They also work well as an afternoon snack or as a side dish at dinner. While these beans are usually served hot, you can enjoy the dish served at room temperature or cold. In Mexican restaurants in the United States, they are often one of the basic appetizer accompaniments, along with seasoned rice. It is not unusual for a small amount of grated cheese to be placed on top before serving, allowing it to melt slightly before being served.
In consistency, these beans aren’t as thick as bean dip, but are usually thick enough to eat up with a fork. If desired, a small amount of hot sauce can also be used to enhance the flavor.
These mashed Mexican beans can also be used as an ingredient in a number of recipes. A savory platter layered with lettuce, chopped tomatoes, onions, cooked ground burgers, and cheese can rest on a bed of refried beans and made from platter using tortilla chips. In other applications, Mexican casseroles often make heavy use of beans and Spanish rice in the base recipe.
Consumers can purchase cans of the beans that are already mashed and infused with some type of lard or oil at most grocery stores. The contents of the can are dumped into a pan and left to slowly warm up. Care should be taken to turn the bean mixture frequently, so the beans are not burnt during preparation.
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