Homemade Refried Beans

The process for making homemade refried beans is similar to the process of making black beans, just with the added step of "refrying" them.

First, soak your beans over night with enough water for them to expand.

Rinse and put in crock pot (you can cook these on the stove in a regular pot too).  Add enough water to cover by 2-3 inches.  Cook on High 4 hours, or Low 8 hours.

Drain, reserving some of the water.  Move beans to pot, add in some of the bean water and desired seasonings (I used salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin,  paprika and minced garlic cloves).  Cook, stirring often, until beans reduce.  Add more bean water (or milk for creamier beans) if needed.  Once reduced and getting mushy, you can mash them with a potato masher or use a blender.  I added more of the bean water to make them creamier (It's like of like adding milk to mashed potatoes).

From here, you can enjoy and/or freeze.  :)