homemade refried beans (healthy version)

And yet again I have no after picture. I just get so excited. And hungry.

I have been wanting to make homemade refried beans for some time now. Kevin fell in love with them on our trips to Mexico. He would eat refried beans for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
But I did not want to put bacon grease or lard in it (like 1/2 cup!). That fat is probably what Kevin loves about it, but Im pretty sure if I saw that much lard or grease go into anything, I would feel sick.
But I will gladly eat refried beans made at any Mexican restaurant since I don't have to watch them make it :).

People these are good. Flavorful and good.


Healthy Refried Beans

1 T olive oil
4 large cloves garlic, roughly chopped
1 C diced carrots (about 4 med carrots)
1 diced onion
2 cans beans, rinsed and drained
1 3.5oz can green chilies
2 cans low-sodium beef broth
1 t kosher salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
1/2 t chili powder
1/4 t cumin
1/2 t dry oregano leaves
1 bay leaf

Saute onion, carrots and garlic in olive oil for 3-5 minutes.
Add the rest of ingredients and simmer for 25 minutes.
Remove bay leaf.
Puree in blender until completely smooth.
Enjoy!
Sprinkle cheese, or melt cheddar cheese on top.

These beans are awesome alongside these:


Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas

1.5 lbs pork or chicken, cooked and shredded
Sauce:
1/3 c honey
1/4 c lime juice
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 (10 oz) cans green enchilada sauce
Flour tortillas
Shredded cheddar & mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 350 F.
Mix honey, lime juice and garlic powder in bowl. Combine with chicken and let marinate for 3 hours or more (overnight is even better).
In 2 baking pans, pour enough enchilada sauce to cover bottom.
Fill flour tortillas with chicken and cheese and place on sauce.
Pour remainder of sauce on top and cover with cheese. Use a lot of cheese! The more the better!
Cook for 30 minutes.
Broil the top for 2 minutes or until the cheese is browned and crispy.
Let sit for 5 minutes. They are better when they have settled.
This recipe could make two pans of enchiladas or one. It all depends on how much chicken you want to stuff in them enchiladas.

And now I am off to St. George for a fun weekend with my hubs.
Peace out.