Refried Beans - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb. dried pinto or pink beans
5 c. water
1 or 2 medium onions, diced
1/2 to 1 c. hot bacon drippings or butter or lard
salt to taste

Preparation

Combine beans in a pan with water and onions.
Bring to a boil, cover and remove from heat for 2 hours (or soak beans in cold water overnight).
Return to heat, bring to boil and simmer slowly until beans are very tender, about 3 hours.
Mash beans with a potato masher and add bacon drippings, butter or lard.
Mix well and continue cooking, stirring frequently until beans are thickened and fat is absorbed.
Salt to taste.
Serve or reheat.
Makes 6 to 8 servings.