I'm sure I've commented before about the high prices of just about everything in Denmark and the difficult time I have finding some cooking ingredients. I haven't been able to find refried beans in Denmark, but on occasion, Citti in Germany carries them. A small can of refried beans is 2.67 Euro or roughly $3.50 USD. That same can is under $1 in the US.I always cringe a bit when I put them in the cart, but in the end, we love Mexican food and fajitas and burritos just aren't the same without refried beans. The last 3 visits to Citti yielded NO refried beans. They've been 'out' or perhaps no longer carry them because I was the only one buying them. So.....
...today I made homemade refried beans. They were extremely easy to make, but did require some planning. For the other expats out there that love refried beans, here's what I did...in narrative form.
Sort 1 bag of red beans or pinto beans, picking out the bad ones and any stones. Soak beans in a big bowl of water over night.
Over low/medium heat simmer beans in a pot on the stove for 1.5 hours. Add 1 tablespoon each of granulated garlic, onion powder, salt, pepper. Boil for another 1 hour or so. Boil until the beans are soft and fall apart. Check on the beans occasionally and add water as needed.
Once the beans are cooked, drain most of the water out of the pan and mash the beans. With the beans in the pan, I had about an inch of water in the bottom. You want just enough water so the beans don't dry out as you mash them. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil and stir.
When you're ready to serve them, drizzle some extra virgin olive oil in a skillet and heat. Add the beans and 'refry' them. You can also stir in onion or jalapeno.
I bet the homemade ones rocked and you don't have to worry about getting lard in them.
ReplyDeleteStrange isn't it, when every little Netto or Fakta has tortillas, salsa and guacamole? You could try asking in Chas E.on Ryesgade in Aarhus. They have a website at http://www.chas-e.dk/169-velkommen.htm which only mentions their vinhandel business, but they also sell a lot of obscure "colonial varer".
ReplyDeleteDuring the Great Danish Chipotle-Chilli Drought of 2002, they were the only place I could find which at least seemed aware of the problem :-)
Ok I am going to try this. I made homemade pinto beans all the time but have never mashed them....
ReplyDeleteplus I have these "instant" ones that Jess brought me this time...12 bags! I will let you know how those turn out!
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
ReplyDeleteI have tried to make FOUR batches of refried beans and it always ends up so terrible I throw them out. I've been using Kidney Beans though, thanks to the obviously dumb recipe I found.
What is a pinto bean called in Danish
I am seriously making these tomorrow (and will look for them at Citti!!) :) I will share a picture too! :) YAY!!!!!!!!!11
I am SOOOO excited.
Onion Powder... Is that here? I've never looked. I'm excited!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this great tip. I might be going to Denmark eventually, and I wondered about the availability of Mexican food ingredients, which is how I found your blog. :)
ReplyDelete