Best Desperate Mans Refried Bean Sandwich Recipes

BAKED BEAN SANDWICH

Steps:

• Butter one side of both slices of bread; set bread slices, buttered-side up, on plate.
• Pour warm baked beans onto bread; serve.
• This is messy, so be prepared.

REFRIED BEAN SANDWICHES

Steps:

• In a medium size skillet, heat the olive oil, saute the onion until slightly cooked, add the garlic, cook 1 minute.
• Add the refried beans, cook and stir until heated, reduce heat to low.
• Add the cheese. Stir to melt through.
• Toss in the jalapeno slices. Leave on low heat until heated through. Meanwhile, toast the sandwich rolls, open faced, under the broiler, until golden.
• Prepare the lettuce.
• When time for assembling the sandwich, season the beans with salt and pepper. Spread the bean mixture onto the sandwich roll. Top with lettuce and the French dressing.

MOLLY'S REFRIED BEANS

Steps:

• In large pot soak the beans for at least 4 hours. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to medium and cook until soft.
• If necessary, add more water as needed so that the beans do not dry out while cooking. Once beans are cooked, drain beans but *RESERVE* liquid.
• Fry up the bacon slices in large cast iron skillet and set aside to drain on paper towel. Reserve drippings.
• Meanwhile, mince the onion and garlic.
• *Heat a cast iron skillet on medium and saute the onion and garlic in the bacon drippings or solid lard until soft.
• With slotted spoon, transfer the cooked beans to the skillet. Lower temperature to low-medium. Add about a cup of the bean liquid and mix in the beans with the onion and garlic. Begin to mash the beans with a potato masher, adding more bean liquid as necessary to facilitate. Great grandma prepared these beans soupy with about 3/4 of the beans mashed, the remaining left whole. That is how great-grandma cooked them and that is how I like them. Keep mashing beans and adding liquid until soupy and not dry. Lower heat to simmer. Do not allow beans to dry out, adding more bean liquid if needed.
• Crumble the bacon and stir into the beans. Season with salt. Taste and reseason with more salt if necessary. Beans seems to require a good amount of salt to bring out their flavor.
• *NOTE: If you choose to use a cast iron skillet be warned that the iron content will turn lighter colored beans an unattractive pinkish-grey color. This will not affect the taste at all other than adding a bit of extra iron to your diet. If preferred, cook beans in a non-reactive pot.
• Save the bean liquid to rehydrate and reheat any leftovers, but *DO NOT* use plain water to reheat the beans.

TOASTED BEAN AND CHEESE OPEN-FACED SANDWICHES ("MOLLETES")

Steps:

• Preheat a broiler.
• Drain the beans in a colander set over a bowl. Save the bean liquid.
• Heat the oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and onion and saute until the onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Add the drained beans. Using a potato masher, mash the beans until they become a spreadable mixture, adding extra bean liquid, if needed.
• Put the rolls on a baking sheet and broil until lightly golden, about 3 minutes. Spread each half of the rolls with about 1/2 cup of the refried beans. Top with shredded cheese. Return to the oven and broil until the cheese is melted and starting to bubble. Transfer the rolls to a serving tray and serve.
• Combine the beans, garlic, onion, and bay leaves in a medium pot. Add enough water to reach about 1 1/2 inches over the beans. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer until the beans are tender, about 2 hours. Add more water if the beans are absorbing too much liquid. The beans should be soupy when done, with plenty of liquid remaining. Season the beans with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Ladle the beans and cooking liquid into soup bowls and garnish with Mexican crema, cilantro and chopped white onions. Alternatively, the beans can be drained and use as a filling for soft tacos.

BACON AND BEAN SANDWICH

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 350°F.
• Place toast on an ungreased baking sheet.
• Spread each slice with 3 tablespoons pork and beans.
• Top each slice with 2 strips of bacon.
• Place a few onion rings and a slice of cheese on each piece of toast.
• Bake at 350F for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted and lightly brown.