Homemade Refried Beans

Nacho's for dinner tonight.  Some of us like beans, some of us don't.  Of course I had just survived the grocery store...I mean got home from the store (with all 4 kids - thanks to spring break!) and found out that that the extra can of beans wasn't in the pantry like I assumed.  So homemade beans I started making.  

And since I've made these a few times and never wrote down the recipe I thought it was about time.  I never think enough ahead of time for the crock pot version.  But they are pretty similar.  There are lots of recipies on pinterst for the same kind of thing.  My favorite part is that they are a fraction of the cost of the store canned beans, I am guessing much better for you, and taste better.  I can't remember what I paid for this bag of beans, but I use about a quarter of the bag for this recipe.

The only downsize is they don't come in that fun little can shape.  Boo.

Homemade Refried Beans

About 5-6 cups water 

(some people use chicken stock or add bullion cubes.  I have, I haven't honestly it just depends on if I remember this step or not.)

2 cups dried refried beans

Half an onion chopped

1 Tablespoon garlic powder

1 Tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon salt

1.  Rinse and sort your dried beans.  This is an important step.  When I first stared using dried beans I didn't think it was, but then I always find rocks and strange looking beans.  Rinse and sort.

2.  Place beans onions and seasoning in large pot and cover with water.  Bring to boil and boil for about 3-5 minutes.

3.  Cover and turn down the heat and simmer for 3 or so hours or until beans are soft and can mash with a fork.  Add more water if you need too while they are cooking, just make sure they are always covered with about an inch of water.

4.  Once the beans are soft I drain about half the water.

5.  You can then mash up the beans with a potato masher or you can use your food processor for smoother  beans.  We like the food processor beans.

6.  You're done!  Wade always adds more salt.  

I think he would add salt if I served salt for dinner.

Yum!  We can't wait to eat them with our nacho's tonight!