Everybody loves Refried Beans – and if YOU don’t? What is your major malfunction?? – But first you have to cook the “Pintos” . . .
You start with 5 Cups of beans . . .
Put them in a strainer and wash and pick them – the little grungy looking ones – funny colored ones – the better brand you start with the fewer rejects – take your time and roll them through the water several times at least . . .
It’s as easy as anything that catches your eye – pick it out and throw it away – your also rinsing any dust or dirt off prior to cooking . . . into the crockpot . . .
Get yourself a package of salt pork . . .
And dice/chop it up – you need a SHARP knife as the skin is tough . . . and into the crockpot . . .
Then get some magic bacon and chop it up – 12oz or 16oz? Whatever floats your boat – remember one of the simplest cooking rules there is – when in doubt – add magic bacon. And if any doubt remains?? ADD MORE MAGIC BACON!!
Slicey Slicey – sharp knives always work better . . . and put the magic bacon into the crockpot . . .
3 large jalapenos ( or 4 or 5 little ones ) – take just a sliver off of the stem end – slice lengthwise into quarters – then dice from there . . . into the crockpot the jalapenos go . . .
Seasoning is simple – one tablespoon each salt – black pepper – garlic powder – and into the crockpot the seasoning goes – that was easy enough – wasn’t it?
And then you add 16 cups of water – give it a good stir – turn it on high – lid on – stir again in about two hours – you can cut this recipe in half or use your bigger crockpot! ( i use my bigger crockpot – more beans is better )
Crockpot on high . . .
Once it starts gurgling good – takes about 2 hours or so – give it a stir – then let it cook for 4 to 4 1/2 hours – you want to get to a slight resistance to bite or crush between thumb and finger – you really don’t want to cook it down to “mush”.
Then shut the crockpot off and let it sit for an hour – this is the hardest part of the entire recipe – because by now the whole house smells like a good Mexican restaurant – LOL!
Scoop the pintos out of the crockpot with a slotted spoon – top off with juice – lid on and spin the ring down . . .
Set them on the counter to cool down – then put them in the fridge . . .
Bruce – shouldn’t all those beans have made more than 7 pints??
well i suppose the batch made 8+ pints – but i made a skillet of cornbread – and nature took its course . . .
Next “pinto” post we will go through “refried” beans – and yes I know there are probably a gazillion or so how-to videos on the tube – I’m going to show you how I make them – even the people in the family that don’t like “refried” beans load up on these . . .
Have Fun! – Run the Gun! – and remember – Fish Heads are Cheap!!
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