We're Back With Monday's Munchies!

Today's Monday Munchy recipe is one of our very favorites. Not only is it absolutely yummy, it is one of the most economical too. Can't beat a combination like that, now can you? As with most of our recipes, today's can be adapted to suit your family's personal taste. We hope that you enjoy today's Munchy and the savings that accompany it. HOMEMADE REFRIED BEANS One of the best things about this recipe is that you can use any variety of bean. So choose the bean that you enjoy most or currently have on hand. Drain the beans, place desired amount in hot skillet which has 2-3 T. of bacon grease melted in it. Stir the beans around until they have warmed through and then begin mashing them. Once the beans have reached the desired consistency, begin to stir in shredded cheddar cheese to taste. Other flavors of cheese can be used. Make sure to stir the beans often, if not constantly, as both the beans and cheese have a tendency to stick if left unattended. The temperature of the burner will need to be adjusted so that the beans don't scorch. Salt to taste. While the bacon grease isn't essential, it is just so yummy that we feel like we "have" to have it in there. Likewise, the cheese isn't a necessity. So if you find yourself without either of those ingredients, don't think that you can't have refried beans. Basically, all that is absolutely necessary is cooked beans and some type of fat to keep them from sticking uncontrollably to the skillet. Cilantro, salsa, any seasoning that your family likes could be added. This recipe is extremely easy to personalize. Taking less than 15 minutes from start to finish, refried beans are perfect to use in tortillas with salsa and other toppings as a quick and easy meal. They are also wonderful as a protein rich afternoon snack when served with toasted pita chips or homemade tortilla chips. Refried Beans can be used for more than just tacos or dip. Spread on an uncooked pizza crust instead of tomato sauce, topped with cheese and/or salsa, and baked as a traditional pizza, a scrumptious taco pizza is born. Another option is to make a Mexican roll-up by spreading the bean mixture over rolled out dough, sprinkling with cheese and other toppings, rolling the dough up tight, sealing the edges and baking. When mixed with ground beef in a one to one ratio, the beans can also make the meat stretch farther in any Mexican style dish. I'm sure there are many other ways to utilize this recipe. Using our imaginations is part of what makes cooking so much fun. This recipe can be made even more economically by cooking dried beans yourself rather than using canned beans. However, if you need to economize on time, you may want to stick with the canned variety. Though one of the cooking methods we will mention saves time as well as money. COOKING DRIED BEANS: Using a ration of 2C. beans to 6C. water, measure out the amount of dried beans needed. Sort through the beans discarding any that are shriveled, black, or broken up. Once sorted, rinse the beans. Here is where the recipe divides into two options. Option 1: place water and beans in crockpot. Place on low setting and allow to cook overnight or during the day. After approx. nine hours (this will depend on each individual crockpot) the beans will be done and ready to use however you wish. Option 2: place beans and water in stock pot. Allow to soak overnight. In morning, drain beans and replace water with fresh clean water (this is said to decrease the gas effect on those later consuming the beans). Set beans on to cook. Bring to boil and cook for one minute. Lower temperature to a simmer and cook approx. 2 hours. The beans will need to be stirred periodically. Each range is unique. Therefore, be sure to check the beans after 1 1/2 hours just in case they have cooked quicker than expected. The beans will be very bland as they haven't been seasoned. If you were cooking the beans to use in a ham and bean type soup, then you would add the ham, bone, and seasonings when you lowered the temp. to a simmer. Our seasonings of choice are a hambone, some salt, bit of pepper, and some onions or onion powder. This is the perfect soup to sneak in some veggies with grated carrots and minced celery. It probably is considered to be cooked incorrectly, but I personally love to let it simmer until the beans begin to be mushy. It thickens up the soup and turns it into bowls of pure, delicious comfort. If you are making ham and beans, don't forget the cornbread. To me, it's an essential part of the meal. However, there are many ways of eating ham and beans. Some prefer it served over mashed potatoes. I've tried it, and it is a whole other level of comfort food. Good eating. While others, lace their beans with vinegar or ketchup. That, I have yet to try. No matter how you cook them or which recipe you use them in once they are cooked, homemade refried beans are extremely economical, nutritious, and tasty. When paired with rice, beans provide a complete protein. So cook up some beans and enjoy.

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