Refried Beans

As many of you know, I have lost A LOT of weight over the last few years and the secret to my success? A Whole Foods, Plant Based Diet (or what I like to call "The Beans and Greens Diet"). Today, I am going to teach you how I make the (Refried) Beans in my "Beans and Greens Diet". 

Being a newlywed, I try to save money anywhere I can (and that DEFINITELY includes my energy bill) so I make Refried Beans with a Crock Pot! Here is what you need:

Crock Pot

2 1/2 Cups Dried Pinto Beans

7 1/2 Cups Water

Salt

Pepper

Pour your beans and water into your Crock Pot, add the salt and pepper (I just poured the salt and pepper in there until I thought it looked like enough), and stir it together. Turn your Crock Pot on HIGH and your beans will be ready in about 5 hours. If you plan on being gone all day, you can place the Crock Pot on LOW and it will take about 7-9 hours. 

To check the beans, taste them to make sure they are tender, but not falling apart. Once the beans are cooked, allow them to cool. (I only let mine cool for about 30 minutes) However, the longer you allow the beans to cool, the more liquid they will absorb and the creamier they will become.

After you have allowed the beans to cool, pour them into your blender and add a couple of scoops of the liquid. Blend until creamy. I added more salt and pepper to taste in this step. Then there you have it! Homemade Refried Beans!

I like to eat mine heated up in a bowl with a couple scoops of Salsa or Pico De Gallo, or put them in Romaine Lettuce and eat them like a grain-free, wheat-free, and gluten-free taco!