Anafre De Frijoles

Ingredients

• 1 pounds small red beans – picked over and rinsed
• 8 cups water
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 8 ounces Central American chorizo – casing removed and crumbled
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 medium white onion – finely chopped
• 1 medium jalapeño – seeded and finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic – minced
• 0.25 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 0.75 cups mantequilla (Central American-style cream) – room temperature
• 12 ounces queso Oaxaca (quesillo) – shredded
• chimol (pico de gallo) – for serving
• cilantro – chopped (for serving)
• tortilla chips – for serving

Instructions

1. Rinse the beans and remove any debris. Place them in a large pot with the water, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cook partially covered, stirring occasionally, until tender, 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours; add the kosher salt during the last 30 minutes of simmering. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking liquid and drain the beans.
2. While the beans cook, heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Cook the chorizo, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, 6–8 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
3. In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until translucent and lightly golden, 5–6 minutes.
4. Add the jalapeño and garlic and cook until fragrant, 30–60 seconds.
5. Add the drained beans and 0.5–0.75 cup of the reserved bean liquid. Mash with a potato masher or the back of a spoon to a thick, spreadable consistency. Cook, stirring, until creamy and steamy, 5–8 minutes. Season with the ground black pepper and adjust texture with more reserved liquid if needed.
6. If using an oven, preheat to 400°F. Spoon the hot refried beans into an anafre (small earthenware brazier) or an oven-safe small casserole or fondue pot.
7. Top the beans with half of the shredded queso, dollop the mantequilla evenly over the surface, then add the remaining queso. Scatter the cooked chorizo over the top.
8. Set the anafre over a small flame or tea light until the cheese is fully melted and bubbling at the edges, 5–10 minutes; or bake until melted and lightly browned in spots, 8–12 minutes.
9. Serve immediately, garnished with cilantro and with tortilla chips and chimol for serving.