FOOD NEWS
Why Refried Beans Taste Better In A Restaurant Than At Home
BY JULIA HOLLAND
Canned refried beans are convenient, but they're no match for the flavorful refried beans served at your local Mexican restaurant, which is due to their fat content.
Unlike the canned variety, restaurant-made refried beans honor traditional Mexican culinary practices by adding a hearty helping of lard or bacon fat drippings to their recipe.
While lard has been replaced by vegetable oil or shortening in many households, the distinct richness and velvety texture it imparts to a skillet of refried beans is hard to beat.
The closest substitute for lard is bacon grease, another flavorful form of rendered pork fat. Crema, butter, olive, and vegetable oil will also enhance refried beans.