Seasoned Refried Beans

How to go from this:

to this:

My church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, ie. the Mormons) has a variety of food cannerys throughout the US and the world.  They help in my church's worldwide humanitarian aid, along with allowing others the opportunity to package their own food.  I order a lot of bulk food there.  The one rule, you have to package some either in #10 cans or plastic pouches and then you can buy as much of what they have on hand.  Considering we eat a lot of refried beans, when I saw dried I thought it was worth a try, and we haven't gone back.  The ingredients are just pinto beans and salt that has been mashed and then dried.  You just have to add equal amounts of boiling water and beans and let it sit for 10 minutes.  You can alter this ratio depending on how thick or thin you want the beans.  The best part is that you can add seasoning to the beans and this is the part we love.

Here is how I make them.  I imagine you could do this with any dried refried beans, I just don't know where you would get them.

Seasoned Refried Beans (printer friendly)

1 C water*
1/2 T chili powder
1-2 tsp cumin
2 tsp dried cilantro
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1 C dried beans*

1. In a small saucepan combine water, and seasonings.  Bring to a boil.  Add beans.  Cover and let sit for 10 minutes.  Stir. Note: This makes a runnier consistency so if you prefer thicker reduce the water.

*Or whichever ratio your dried beans use.

Green Eggs & Ham

Yes, I'm finally back!  It has been a while, between getting the house ready to sell and selling it I have been running around crazy.  But I think life has slowed down enough and I am enough organized to actually do a post (or a few).  Yippee!!


Anyway, for St. Patrick's Day my kids wanted green eggs and ham for breakfast.  It has become somewhat of a tradition.  In the past I have just scrambled some eggs with green food coloring.  But I was out.  So I hunted and found this:

Betty Crocker Decorating Spray

I had bought it to decorate a cake a while back and decided to try it on eggs and it worked!  So I made "turned over and stomped on" (as my Grandmother called eggs fried hard) and then sprayed them with some of this spray to make them green.  Note: If you have a gas stove TURN OFF THE STOVE BEFORE SPRAYING OR YOU WILL HAVE A FIRE AND BE HURT!!!!!!  Luckily, I thought of this just before spraying but thought I'd pass it on if you are still half asleep when making the eggs.like I often am.  

Then I took some ham lunchmeat and "fried" it in the leftover bacon grease still in my egg pan.

I thought about spraying the ham, but I just couldn't stomach the thought of green ham.

And voile!  You have Green Eggs and Ham.

How do you make Green eggs and ham?

Fabulous link and other happenings

 I'm sorry I haven't been posting, my internet time is a bit limited.  We have officially moved to Albuquerque and we are still unpacking boxes.  I am currently using my husband's laptop since my computer (which has the photos) doesn't have internet.  But as soon as it does I have lots to share!!!

Until then, I have to share this link for a chore chart over at How Does She?

-- while not food (there is some good stuff to come, including learning to cook at REALLY high altitudes, which I am still figuring out) -- it is a wonderful idea that I am absolutely copying.  The best part - I won't forget which child hasn't done their chores -- a bad problem with me.