Frijoles Refritos

Makes about 12 cups.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs pinto beans
• 1 medium white onion, roughly sliced
• salt to taste
• 2 tbsp lard (optional)
• 2/3 C veg oil

Procedure

1. Wash and pick over beans.
2. Drain beans and place them in a heavy pot with onion and lard (if you like)
3. Cover well with water about 4" above beans
4. Cover and bring to boil
5. Lower heat and continue cooking until skin becomes tender
6. Add salt and continue cooking until the beans are soft. 2-3 hours.
7. Add water if the beans become dry.
8. Add oil to a large skillet and gradually add beans and their broth.
9. Continue cooking at fairly high heat, mashing beans down to a textured paste, about 10 minutes.