Oil-Free Salt-Free Re-Fried Beans

Finding re-fried beans that are Vegan is difficult, but finding them with no oil and low sodium is even more difficult! The plus side to making your own: you know what is in your food, there is no BPA from the lining of the can, and they are way healthier! After making many batches of bland re-fried beans, I have finally perfected my recipe!  This recipe will serve approximately 8 to 10 people, so you can cut down on the ingredients accordingly if you need to make less.

Ingredients:
2 cups dry pinto beans
5 cups water, plus 1/8 cup water
2 avocados
1/2 cup nutritional yeast
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 tbsp cumin
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp chili powder

The steps:

Soak the pinto beans in a bowl overnight prior to cooking them.  Soaking the beans allows for better iron absorption (score!).  Once the beans are soaked, place them in your pressure cooker, adding in the 5 cups of water, and set it to the rice setting for 15 minutes.  Cut up the two avocados and add them to the saucepan.  When the beans are done cooking, strain them, and add them to the avocados. With a potato masher, mash the beans and the avocado until they are mixed well.  Add the 1/8 cup water and remaining ingredients.  Turn your stove top on to medium heat and mix the ingredients thoroughly.

Optional Ingredients:
Green Onion
Corn
Kale (Great for added Calcium and Iron)
Tomato

Serving Suggestions:

Side Dish
Re-Fried Bean Tacos
Re-Fried Bean Burritos
Re-Fried Bean Lettuce Wrap
Re-Fried Bean Burger (try adding rice and some organic unbleached flour to bind them together)

I love how the avocados give the re-fried beans a creamy texture.  My non-vegan family eats these beans, which is great because I feel like it is something we can all eat together.  These beans are high in fiber, iron, and protein, and are a guiltless dish you can serve to your family and friends!