Homemade "Refried" Beans

The reason the word refried is in quotes is because I don't re-fry my beans, but they are so delicious without actually frying them.

"Refried"Beans

2 lbs dry pinto beans
1/3 cup salt
Water
1/2 block jack cheese (optional)

Rinse beans in a colander...remove any pebbles that may be mixed in...sounds weird, but I have found them before....Put in a large saucepan and cover with water. Soak the beans overnight.

Drain the water from the beans.....put them back into the pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, add salt and reduce to simmer.
Simmer the beans for at least three hours....adding water to keep the beans covered... about every 30 minutes. ( I usually boil for 4 hours)....smash the beans with a potato smasher until they are the consistency you prefer.  Add 1/2 block of jack cheese and salt to taste.  Sometimes I add more cheese....it completely depends on what you prefer....If your beans are too runny, just keep them on low and they will thicken up.

Sometimes I add 1 tbsp bacon grease into the beans while they are simmering....just to give the beans a little bit of bacon flavor......

Sloppy Joes

I think everyone knows what a sloppy  joe looks like, so I didn't take pictures......sloppy joes are usually one of the quick and easy meals to make on a weeknight...but the canned sloppy joe sauce is so icky, I made my own recipe up and my family loves it. It's super easy and made with stuff you probably have in your refrigerator/cabinets all the time.

Sloppy Joes

1 lb ground beef

1/2 cup ketchup

1 tbsp mustard

1 tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp dried onion

1 tsp worcesterchire sauce

Brown ground beef and drain the fat.  To the meat, add the remaining ingredients.......DONE!

And waaaaaaay better than the crap you buy in a can...:)

Carnitas

Traditionally, carnitas are made a lot differently than this, but I love how this turned out......I used a really big pork shoulder (pork butt), but you can use any size you like...just don't leave it on the grill as long....it should shred easily when fully cooked.....

Carnitas

7 lb pork shoulder/butt (I use bone-in because it adds more flavor to the meat)

1/2 onion, sliced

4 jalapenos, with core and seeds taken out

6 cloves of garlic

1/4 cup salt

1 tbsp pepper

Rub pork with salt and pepper...both sides......

On a piece of heavy duty foil, lay half the onion, garlic and jalapenos....then put the pork on top....add the remaining onions, garlic and jalapenos. Wrap tightly in the foil...I actually used two pieces of foil to ensure that the juices stayed inside.

I turned on the right and left burners of my gas grill and put the pork in the middle on indirect heat. The temperature in the bbq was between 350 and 375 degrees for 4 hours. I've always made these on the grill, but I'm sure you could use your oven if you wanted to.
I took the pork out and placed it directly on the grill to finish it off before I shredded it.

I also shredded the jalapeno and onion into the meat....sooo good!
Before you serve, put 1 tbsp salt into a cup of hot water...let it dissolve and sprinkle on top of the shredded meat....just be sure to taste it as you sprinkle so you don't add too much salt.
Serve with corn tortillas, lime, cilantro, onions, avocados...and whatever other toppings you'd like....

This picture really doesn't do this dish justice.  You have to try it to believe how yummy it is!