Pan-Fried Bean Burritos

Serve with salsa and/or sour cream. Yum!

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 2  medium tomatoes (10 oz total)
• 1  large  white onion, cut crosswise into 4 thick slices
• 1  red bell pepper, trimmed, then quartered lengthwise
• 2  garlic cloves
• 1  tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1  teaspoon  fresh serrano chili, minced
• 3⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1⁄8 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 (16 ounce) can  refried beans
• 4  flour tortillas, 10-inch size
• 5  ounces monterey jack cheese, coarsely grated
• 1⁄2 cup  vegetable oil

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 200°F Put an ovenproof platter in oven to warm.
2. Heat dry cast iron skillet over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then cook tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, and garlic, turning with tongs, until all are blackened in spots, 10 to 15 minutes.
3. Remove from heat, then transfer tomatoes and 2 onion slices to a blender. Add garlic to blender along with lime juice, chili, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Blend until coarsely puréed, then transfer salsa to a bowl.
4. Cut bell pepper into 1/2-inch-wide strips, then halve remaining 2 onion slices and separate layers. Toss bell pepper and onion with oregano, pepper, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt in a bowl.
5. Spread one fourth of refried beans on a tortilla, leaving a 1-inch border all around, then sprinkle with one fourth of cheese. Arrange one fourth of onion and pepper mixture in a horizontal strip across center, then fold side nearest you over them and roll up tortilla. Make 3 more burritos in same manner.
6. Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then fry 2 burritos, seam side down, until lightly browned on undersides, 1 to 2 minutes. Turn over with tongs and fry until golden, 1 to 2 minutes more. Transfer to paper towels to drain briefly, then keep warm on platter in oven. Fry remaining 2 burritos in same manner.