instant refried beans

A bean burrito is one of my favorite trail meals and fortunately, these instant refried beans are indistinguishable from scratch made. Click here for an excellent refried bean recipe (I leave out the queso blanco and substitute olive oil for the animal fat), or use your own. Note the weight of the bean paste then spread the it on freezer paper 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick and dry in dehydrator or oven at 150 degrees. Break the dried paste into chunks and powder in a food processor. Weigh the powder to determine how much water to add to each ounce of powder to reconstitute the beans. Bag the powder and put it in the freezer until it's time to go hiking.

Measure enough water for the beans you're going to reconstitute, bring to a boil, add the bean powder and simmer, stirring occasionally. The mixture will start out soupy, but in a few minutes, it will have formed a great tasting bean paste ready for the tortilla. Add cheese and taco sauce or eat it plain.