Cowboy Refried Beans

Cover the beans with water and let soak 3 hours or better, overnight. Discard water and refill with 4 cups of water and cook, partially covered until tender, about 1 to 2 hours. Mash with a potato masher.

While beans are cooking, heat the oil in a skillet and add the vegetables and cook about 7 minutes until wilted. Add the spices and cook 3 minutes more, adding some water so that nothing sticks to the skillet. Add the contents of the skillet to the pot of beans and simmer to let flavors blend, about 10 minutes.

Rinse the skillet with a little water and add to the bean mixture. Mash a little more to the consistency you like, and mix well and keep hot until ready to serve. This is even better the next day.