My tagline at any Mexican restaurant while growing up was, "Just rice, no beans." Refried beans have always been so bland and therefore unappetizing to me. However, at least once a week we had burritos, and the side dish was always refried beans. Dad would brown some beef, throw in a pack of taco seasoning mixed with water, and a can of pintos. I think the refrieds may have been more like glue to hold the burrito together. Now my husband loves these burritos and we make them about once a month or so. But I still didn't like refried beans.
This was until I met Pioneer Woman.
Now, I like Pioneer Woman's recipes. I've never made anything bad from her website. She does get on my nerves a little bit because she is so cutesy and I can't stand to hear her talk. I guess she would fall into the category of someone I wouldn't mind hanging out with, but in small doses.
I never would have thought about changing up a can of refried beans, but she has convinced me. There is no going back. In this recipe, she uses the beans in burritos, but I stole her idea for just cooking the beans: Beef and Bean Burritos. Throwing a handful of shredded cheese in a can of beans totally changes them. It adds salt and flavor. I usually get fat free refrieds, so I'm sure the fat grams even out between the cheese and beans (and if not, I'll keep telling myself that). Today I also threw in about half a tablespoon of Valentina's sauce. It's in the Mexican food section and, instead of just being hot, adds a nice smokey flavor. YUM.
