Spicy Vegan Refried Beans

Spicy Vegan Refried Beans

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried pinto beans
• Kosher salt
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 medium onions, one split in half, one chopped (about 1 cup)
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 3 medium cloves garlic, minced on a microplane grater (about 1 tablespoon)
• 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely minced (about 1 tablespoon, optional)
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped canned chipotle chilies in adobo sauce (optional)

Directions

1. Place beans in a large bowl and add 1 gallon water. Stir in two tablespoons kosher salt. Set aside at room temperature and let rest overnight. The next day, drain and rinse beans. Transfer to a large Dutch oven. Add bay leaf, split onion, and 3 quarts water. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce to a bare simmer, cover, and cook until beans are completely tender and skins are loose, 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Discard onion and bay leaves. Drain beans, reserving liquid. (See note above for pressure cooker or canned bean variations).
2. Heat vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add onions, garlic, and jalapeño (if using) and cook, stirring frequently, until softened but not browned, about 3 minutes. Add beans and chipotle (if using) and cook, folding with a wooden spoon until homogenous. Add 2 cups of reserved bean liquid. Mash beans with a potato masher until desired consistency is reached, adding extra cooking liquid as necessary to loosen to desired texture. If smoother texture is required, use a hand blender or a food processor to process beans to desired texture. Season with salt to taste. Serve. Uneaten beans can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.