Tex-Mex Refried Black Beans

For a more elegant refried bean side dish for your Tex-Mex Meal, try a zesty Refried Black Bean recipe. You'll never go back to pinto beans after trying this.

There's just something about refried pinto beans that seems wrong. From a Southern perspective, they're missing the ham and bean soup that is traditional with good old Southern beans. Pintos are pintos. But, the refry is definately an idea that works in the South. Fry it. Refry it. Wrap it in a bread coating and fry again. It's the Southern way.

Now a lot of Southerners do love traditional refried beans even with pinto beans. And there are some folks from the Deep South who put flour in the cornbread. Tastes do vary from area to area and from person to person.

For anyone who does not like the taste of refried pinto beans which are kind of thick and gooey, then refried black beans are a good option. Even those who adore refried pintos may be surprised at the pleasant taste of refried black beans and also at how pretty they look served with other Tex-Mex foods. Instead of the dull brown color, there's a vibrant black color. The contrast is wonderful with some of the orange and red colors of Tex-Mex dishes.

Refried black beans are made basically in the same way as refried pinto beans. The following recipe could be made with pinto beans if a body was really set on having brown refried beans.

Refried Black Bean Recipe

• 2 TBS cooking oil (olive is good but regular vegetable oil is OK too)
• 2 cloves of garlic (minced)
• 2 jalapeno chilies (take out seeds and chop good and fine)
• 1 small onion - purple is nice (chopped fine)
• 2 cans black beans (15 oz)
• 1 small can chipotle chili in adobo sauce (drain and chop)
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Directions:

1. Heat oil in medium skillet (10 or 12 inch) to high. It should be good and hot but not smoking.
2. Stir the garlic, chilies and onion in the hot oil until tender and flavored through the oil.
3. Drop the heat to medium.
4. Add the black beans (do not drain and rinse), chipotle chilis, chili powder, salt and black pepper.
5. Stir the mixture and then mash on the beans.
6. Let simmer for 12 to 15 minutes on medium heat without a lid. Drop to low if the mixture tries to stick.
7. The black beans should be rather thick when done. If they are still thin and runny, just cook them a little longer.

Here is another delicious black bean recipe:

Black Bean Salad

If you like Tex-Mex, be sure to also check out:

Easy Guacamole Dip,

Tortilla Cream Cheese Pinwheels

Pica de Gallo

Nacho Chips on the Grill

tex-mex beans - jalapeno

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