Where to store beans
First of all let's learn how to store beans in order to cook them. The place of storage should be rather dark, cool and dry. Beans can be kept in such a storage not more than a year. If you store them for more time, beans will become to tough and this will definitely reflect on the dish.
Cooking beans
If you kept dried beans for a long time in storage you should soak them first before cooking. Take about 9 cups of cold water for each pound of beans and let beans soak in water for around 12-16 hours. If don't want to wait for such a long time you may put beans with water in the oven until it boils. Then you should take the pot with water and beans away and wait for about 90 minutes for beans to get soaked.
After beans are soaked don't forget to drain them until all of them become dry.
So after all the preparations have finished you are absolutely ready to start cooking refried beans, which can be easily combined with tradishional dishes of Mexico, such as tostadas, burritos and tortillas. Besides you may add beans to Mexican rice and make it's taste more vivid and rich. If you want to get to know how to make authentic Mexican rice follow the link mentioned.
Step 1. Soak and drain all your beans. For that you may use the instruction mentioned above.
Step 2. Place beans in a salted water and start boiling them. In order to make beans tender you should prepare them for 2 or even 3 hours. Don't forget to check beans for tenderness every 15 minutes.
Advice. If your beans are old and were stored for more than 5-6 months, cooking time should be extended.
Step 3. Drain your beans and keep the cooking liquid as it will be useful for further process.
Step 4. Cook garlic in a special saucepan with the help of olive oil.
Step 5. Add beans to garlic and mash them together with a spoon untill the mixture becomes solid enough.
Step 6. Add the cooking liquid from step 3 in order to make beans even more tender.
Step 7. Top beans with chopped onions or small slices of cheese if you want to make the taste more rich, powerful and delightful. Cook for additional time - 15-20 minutes.
Refried beans are ready! You may surve them with tortillas or tostadas! Bon appetit!
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