"George Shirley" wrote
> Ophelia wrote:

>> Are these beans left over from baked beans?

> Nope, they can be but are normally cooked just for making refritos, ie.
> refried beans. In Texas we usually do them with pinto beans but I've seen
> black beans, and many other varieties used.

Also 'american' for baked beans normally means sugar added while 'refritos'
almost never use sugar.

> Soak them and cook them in the normal way until tender, then drain, mash
> up good, add garlic and onion and whatever spices you like, mix together,
> and fry. At least that's the way we made them. Probably more ways to make
> refried beans then there are people reading this post.

Yes, agreed. Mine are never actually 'fried' but are cooked with pork
bones, pork fat, porky bits or any variation of that. Lift out a portion,
let drain then mash and use as normal.