Black Bean Cakes With Chipotle Creme Food

BLACK BEAN AND RICE CAKES WITH CHIPOTLE CREMA

Steps:

• Finely chop 1/4 onion, 1/2 jalapeno, and 3 cloves of garlic. Saute the onion and jalapeno in a dollop of oil over medium for a few minutes or until the onion is tender. Add the garlic and cook briefly, 30-60 seconds.
• Drain and rinse a can of black beans. Add to the pan along with 2 minced chipotles in adodo, 1 tablespoon adobo sauce, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon salt, freshly cracked pepper, and a splash of water. Cook for a couple minutes.
• Add bean mixture to a mixing bowl and use a fork to smoosh the beans, leaving some of the beans intact.
• Add 1 cup cooked rice to the mixture. I used 1 cup of our Arroz Rojo but even a simple, cooked white rice is adequate. Combine well and if you have time, chill this mixture.
• Add 1/2 cup of cornmeal to a plate. Form golf ball sized rounds with the bean mixture and roll them in the cornmeal to coat. This batch made eight cakes.
• Add 2-3 tablespoons of oil to a wide skillet on medium heat Heat oil until shimmering and then add the cornmeal coated cakes. Saute them for 3-5 minutes per side or until the cornmeal turns golden brown. You can flatten them a bit in the skillet if you want to. Serve immediately after cooking.
• To make the Chipotle Crema, add the following ingredients to a blender and combine well: 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon cream or mayonnaise, 1 chipotle in adobo, 1 garlic clove, a pinch of salt, and a squeeze of lime.

BLACK BEAN CAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• For the sour cream: Mix all the ingredients together and set aside.
• For the black beans: Combine the black beans with the onion and garlic cloves. Cover with water and bring to a boil, and then simmer, covered. The beans are ready when they are tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Drain and set aside to cool down. Drain.
• For the vegetables: Saute all ingredients in a medium saute pan in the oil over medium-high and set aside to cool down.
• For the patties: Take about 3/4 cup black beans after they have cooled and put into food processor and pulse until the beans break apart but don't form a big ball of mush.
• Add the beans to the sauteed vegetables and mix in the flour, cumin, salt and pepper, and adobo and form into 6 to 8 patties.
• Add enough oil to coat a medium saute pan and place over medium-high heat. Add 2 to 3 patties and cook for about 1 minute, and then turn and sear the other sides for 1 more minute. The patties should have a golden brown crust. Place into the oven for about 4 minutes.
• While the patties are in the oven, add enough oil to coat a medium saute pan and place over medium-high heat. Add the red onion and cook for 1 minute. Add the spinach, season with salt and pepper, and wilt. Add the diced tomatoes and toss to warm through.
• Set the spinach in the center of a plate and place 2 to 3 bean cakes on top. Squeeze a little lime juice on top and top off with chipotle sour cream.

BLACK-BEAN AND BROWN-RICE CAKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a food processor, pulse half the beans with scallions, jalapeno, and cumin until a chunky paste forms. In a large bowl, combine bean puree with rice and remaining beans; season with salt and pepper. Divide mixture into eight 3-inch-wide patties. (To freeze, wrap individually in plastic and freeze up to 2 weeks; thaw before cooking.)
• Brush a rimmed baking sheet with oil; place in oven to heat, 5 minutes. Carefully place patties on hot sheet; bake until bottoms are golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes, rotating sheet halfway through. Let rest on sheet 5 minutes before removing.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine yogurt, cilantro, and lime juice; season with salt and pepper. Serve patties topped with yogurt sauce and cilantro leaves.