Recipe: Refried Beans

I had tried this recipe awhile ago and am still tweaking it.  Here’s what I have so far:

a bit over 3 cups beans (2 15 oz cans drained, washed) – currently using black beans.
2 tbsp garlic
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp coriander
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 tsp black pepper

1) saute garlic in oil.  I use lower heat and a pan, about medium.  Brown it.
2) Add everything else, mash good, keep stirring.
3) Increase heat and stir until “well fried” (about 10-15 minutes).  You’ll start getting a little browning and that’s a good sign.  Keep mashing throughout.

Results?  Well still kinda “eh.”  The flavor is there, but subtle – and subtle enough even white corn tortillas mute it.  I need to “jack it up” some more.

As  a rule I don’t use salt but this could probably use a little – I’m also debating soy sauce and/or some red pepper powder.  Suggestions welcome.

– Steven Savage

Steven Savage is a Geek 2.0 writer, speaker, blogger, and job coach.  He blogs on careers at http://www.fantopro.com/, nerd and geek culture at http://www.nerdcaliber.com/, and does a site of creative tools at http://www.seventhsanctum.com/. He can be reached at https://www.stevensavage.com/.