Always let them cool entirely, stirring them in the pot from the bottom up or transferring to a shallow pan so the steam is released, before refrigerating or freezing. Otherwise they spoil quite quickly.

Do not reduce the quantity of fat in these recipes for frying beans: It is the absolute minimum necessary to mash the beans to the proper lush consistency. Refried bean freeze well.

This recipe can be made quite successfully with almost any other pulse, try this with lentils or chickpeas. The recipe can also be served over a starch, rice or cous cous and will serve more people.

Many different seasoning meats can be used: pickled pork, pork chops, sausage, salt pork, pigs tails, bacon, tasso and smoked meats. But ham is probably the most popular.

Any peppers of your choice can be used in place of jalapeno. Add a little fresh lime at the end of cooking. Any dried bean will work in place of the pinto. Meats can also be used, replace half the beans with meat and saute them in fat before sauteing vegetables.