Well for the beans I kept this batch simple because I froze a ton of quart sized bags for anything I need pinto beans in a pinch. So salt and peppers and a ham hock. The refried beans I took the beans, added cumin, garlic, onion, pepper, salt, pinch of homemade chili powder, season salt, and a dab of bacon fat mixed into olive oil(you have to some bacon fat flavor for real refried beans but I flavor olive oil with very little bacon fat to limit the fat some. In tex mex cooking there is a commonly used spiced mix called tex mex spice. You have to make it yourself but it's pretty much super simple
TEX-MEX SPICE
3 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons ground cumin*
3 tablespoons granulated garlic
2 tablespoons salt
1 tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper
This spice mix responds best when it is slightly browned during the cooking process. It keeps well in an airtight container or ziplock bag.
That mixes like these are pretty much the secret behind tex mex food. A little goes a long way. Add a pinch at a time until you know how much you truly need.
