Beans, beans, they're good for your heart!

Boiled pinto beans can make a nutritous inexpensive, side dish. They will look like refried beans, but, technically speaking, since they won't be refried, they aren't.

This is closer to Frijoles de Olla, or "bean of the pot" stew. You need to start this in the morning if you want to eat them for dinner.

Pour some beans into a pot.

Cover them with at least an inch or so of water.

Soak'em for a few hours until the beans have swollen up. It might be 2-3 hours. I never pay attention. I'm doing other things like laundry or playing Boom Beach.

Boil'em. (Yes, I switched pots.) 

Now, some sources say drain after soaking and add new water. The reasoning is that pre-soaking removes the gassiness BUT only if you throw out the soaking water (which apparently now contains the leeched fart makers). 

I do a combo - part fresh, part beef broth. In my family, one pre-soaked pot of beans won't solve the problem, regardless. 

These look mashable.

They are.

Adding the ever-present bacon grease for a little flavor.

Salt, pepper, garlic & onion powders, cayenne pepper, maybe a dash cumin to taste.

Tah dah!

Beans combined with rice make a perfect protein, so I hear, thus a cheap meatless plate is created for this Lenten season.

:)