Old El Paso "refried" beans

[soilman]

According to their web site -- good news -- they aren't fried at all, not even once!

I get the "spicey fat free" type. They couldn't be fried and fat-free at the same time, anyway, right?

I like these better than other brands I have tried. Do I like fat-free beans? No, but I'd rather put my own whole sesame oil in, or extra-virgin olive oil, or whatever, instead of the highly refined soybean oil that is in their "vegetarian refried beans" I also add a bit of maple syrup, and heat. Then spread on a tortilla, or a pita bread, and eat with lettuce, tomato, and salad turnip or raddish, and perhaps cucumber.

Cooked pinto beans, water, jalapeno peppers, salt, onion powder, chili pepper, spice, garlic powder.

http://www.oldelpaso.com/beans.asp

http://www.oldelpaso.com/fun_easy.asp#refry

[sunshinemelissa]

I love the Rosarita's zesty salsa refried beans. They are fried, but in soybean oil. Nummy!

[borealis]

"Refried" is a misnomer. In Spanish, the re- prefix can mean well or thoroughly. Frijoles refritos means well-fried beans, traditionally made by mashing yesterday's leftover beans and frying them with onion, garlic, chiles, etc.

Source: The Vegetarian Table: Mexico by Victoria Wise

Your version sounds tasty.

[Cissy]

I have Old El Paso vegetarian refried beans, and they're quite yummy.

[Thalia]

Yes, I like those, too. Taco bell also makes a fat free jalepeno.

I just eat them straight when I am hungry.

[soilman]

Normally I try to avoid highly prepared food, prefering to buy dry beans, and doing the preparation myself. But in July and August, cooking beans for an hour doesn't seem like such a great idea. I was surprised these tasted half-way decent. Most of the canned prepared food I've ever bought -- I was sorry I bought it.

[mushroom]

Old El paso is what I started with...way back when. However after cooking my own beans for almost two decades, I can not stand the canned flavor.

I prefer fantastic brand dehydrated beans when I want something quick.

[Quizeen]

Soilman, you might want to invest in a pressure cooker. I make spicy pinto beans about once a week in the pressure cooker. Soak overnight, toss beans and seasonings in the cooker with a bit of water to almost cover and cook for about 15 minutes. Mashing the beans a bit will create the consistency of refried beans.

Anyone who cooks beans and whole grains from scratch with any frequency will love a pressure cooker.

BTW, the Trader Joe's brand of Organic Vegetarian Salsa Style "Refried" Beans is excellent. They're the only canned variety I'll buy.