Easy Refried Beans (Quick Mashed Beans)

Easy Refried Beans (Quick Mashed Beans)

1 -15 ounce can of beans. (I used Fresh Market's Kidney Beans because I like the low sodium count it has - you can use pinto, black beans or any kind you have. Not so sure about baked beans.)

I didn't have any fresh so I used dried:

1/2 teaspoon of cumin

1/2 teaspoon of cilantro

1 teaspoon of minced onions

1 teaspoon of minced garlic

1/4 cup of salsa (I used Herdez Salsa Medium)

Optional - a small pinch of cayenne pepper

Drain and wash the beans.

Put in a large microwave proof bowl. (I used an 8 cup Pyrex measuring cup)

Add all the spices and salsa. Stir.

Take a potato masher and mash the mixture really well.
Put the mixture in the microwave for 3 minutes. Stir after a minute and a half.

Too thick for you - add more salsa.

As an alternative: 

Use fresh onion, fresh garlic, fresh cilantro. But don't add the cilantro till the end. Add fresh chopped tomato. But don't forget the cumin. It adds a salty taste without using salt.

Drain and mash the beans in a large micro proof bowl. Add the cumin.

Mix in the chopped onion and fresh garlic. Stir

Microwave for a total of three minutes, stirring after a minute and a half.

Add the chopped fresh cilantro and fresh chopped tomato. Stir.

Another way:

Mince up 2 slices of bacon, fry them in a pan with the fresh onion, until the bacon is done and the onion is a bit caramelized. Add the fresh garlic near the end.

Add the mashed beans and heat thru.

Add fresh tomato, cilantro, some grated cheese would be yummy.

A squeeze of Lime would be nice, too.