I’ve been making my own refried beans since my friend Jill in Florida showed me how. This was back when we were desperate to buy a house, any house in a drug-dealer-infested neighborhood, before the market went up any higher. Six months later the bubble burst, and two years after that, we are looking for a house again. I’m still making yummy refried beans (which I never liked before I tried homemade), but this time we are not desperate to buy a house. Desperate for a yard, yes. The house is optional.
Actually, I’m surprised I haven’t posted this recipe before. Of course, if you’re rich (or have been to the grocery store recently) you can add minced garlic and onion instead of the powder. I think my friend adds Oregano, too, only that sounded vaguely Italian when I was writing up the recipe.
I made a batch of these last night and took some pictures. I don’t know much about photography (an understatement), but I’m thinking it’s kind of like real estate, only, instead of location being the most important thing, it’s all about lighting, so I’ve been taking more photos outside. I don’t actually cook on my apartment balcony, though. And I don’t let the girls dip their fingers in the pot unless they have SCRUBBED THEIR HANDS right before. That red stuff is indelible marker, formerly known as “Crayola’s Washable Markers.”
I guess it’s a good sign that the kids like these. When they get squeamish about other sources of protein (and show me a girl who doesn’t go through at least a phase of soft-hearted vegetarianism), we’ll have the beans to fall back on. And hot dogs (show me a kid “vegetarian” who doesn’t like hot dogs).
One of my favorite things to do with leftover refried beans (it doesn’t get more recession-friendly than leftover homemade refried beans, I tell you), is to fry an egg over a bowl-full. This is especially great after a hard workout. Oh, the cheap and delicious protein.
And if you need even more protein, you can add cheese (or bacon or sausage. Since I’m not vegetarian, in case you couldn’t tell). These are also delicious with homemade flour tortillas.
And that works for me whether we’re in a recession, or not.
This weekend’s Things That Must Go giveaway is a custom LLBean Tote bag. Can’t wait to hear what’s bugging you this week!
Thanks to Messy Vegetarian Cook for the beautiful recipe card templates!
Tags: recession, recipes, refried beans
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Nice.
I needed a recipe to use up some of the loads of pinto beans I got for our food storage.
Laura Williamss last blog post..The Very Hungry Caterpillar
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These look good.
Funny – my older ones love refried beans in their tacos but won’t eat them as a stand-alone dish.
I’ll have to try making these this fall when the weather gets cooler.
And — my hat is off to you! Three kids in an apartment! I’d be crawling the walls!
Good luck on the house hunt…been there too many times myself.
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Oh recipes, too? I’m so excited!
compulsive writers last blog post..funny ha ha or funny sad?
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Yes, Jane, I am one of THOSE kinds of people. I would apologize for the mess if the couch cushion was out of place. My head does explode with giant accidental messes and I *might* even have been known to vacuum twice a day.
Sorry.
I am lots of fun, though? Please don’t hate me. It’s a disease I have.
Christies last blog post..Uh-oh, Spaghettios
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Homemade refried bean are SO much better than store bought!
Summers last blog post..A little bit of drama, a whole lot of sweet
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Shoot, you’re a gourmand! I just throw ‘em in there with salt and pepper. And if I’m feeling snappy, some minced onion.
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Thanks! I’ll be making this for dinner soon. Real soon.
EMamas last blog post..Ascetic for a Day. Kind of.
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Thanks for the recipe. My son’s nanny is from Mexico, and she adds oregano to a lot of her food. I thought it odd, too, that pizza sauce flavors should go into a dish of pozole, but it tastes really good. But then again, I think she might use lard instead of butter, so maybe authenticity isn’t everything (but it sure does taste good!)
Carolinas last blog post..High School Never Ends
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I love refried beans, especially homemade. I never make them, though. I should, especially since we are buying a house and may soon be unable to afford store-bought refried beans! So, thanks for the recipe. BTW: No matter how much protein I need, I won’t be trying the fried egg on top of the beans. Blech.
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I can testify to Jane’s refried beans. These are nothing like the canned version of beans. Ahh, I remember back when we all lived in Florida and we would frequently “drop in” on them during dinner time. Jane always kept our tummies full. And you have to try the tortillas too – killer!
Taras last blog post..Dare to Display Your Doilies
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Dear Susan (and Aaron and Tara) — sorry if the egg doesn’t look very appealing. That’s the consistency I like it (maybe even runnier) and so that’s how I photographed it. Hope I didn’t offend your aesthetic sensibilities too much.
Also, as I lay in my bed last night, I worried that 1 TBSP of seasoned salt might be too much. I’ve never actually measured any of the ingredients, so I’m not sure, but beans, like potatoes, need a lot of salt.
Hope the recipe works for some of you in spite of everything!
(Oh, and Christie — you certainly get the “Most Gracious Response to a Snide Comment” award. yeesh!)
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Great recipe! And the one for flour tortillas too- I’ll be trying both- maybe tomorrow for the tortillas.
Jennies last blog post..Reading Level
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