My mom would soak the beans and change the water before cooking.

I have tried both the soak and quick cook methods. The quick cook method make a brothier bean.

(Bean broth is good for infants too! When they start to eat solids you can sneak some strained bean juice into a bottle-Mexican old wives feeding tip.)


Refried beans?

Cook pinto beans until done.
Heat lard or bacon grease in a skillet, you can do veggie oil but the grease gives it a better flavor. Add beans and some broth-start with beans and add broth to get the consistency you want.

Add cheese if you want a stiffer bean-if you are making burritos or tacos it will keep the beans from falling out.