Alisa's Refried Beans

This one one of Alisa's staple dishes for her family--it works great in burritos or as a dip for chips.  You can substitute the pinto beans for black beans as well and use them whole in salads. 

Ingredients

1 onion, peeled and halved
3 cups dry pinto beans, rinsed
2 fresh jalapeno peppers; seeded and chopped
2 Tbsp minced garlic
5 tsp salt
1 3/4 tsp ground black pepper
2 tsp ground cumin
9 cups water

Place all ingredients in the slow cooker.  Cook on high for 8 hours (or less--until done).  Once the beans have cooked, strain them and remove the liquid.  Mash the beans with a potato masher or immersion blender, adding the reserved water as needed to attain the desired consistency.  Or serve whole in salads after removing the onion pieces.