Pinto Bean Cakes With Salsa
Description
These hearty pinto bean cakes offer a delicious plant-based twist on classic fritters. The beans are mashed and mixed with fresh aromatics like onion, garlic, and jalapeño, then seasoned with cumin and a touch of liquid smoke for depth. Coated in cornmeal and pan-fried until golden brown, they develop a satisfying crunch on the outside while remaining tender inside. Served warm with a vibrant tomato-based salsa, these cakes make for a perfect appetizer, light lunch, or side dish.Ingredients
Directions
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Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons of the salad oil in a 12- to 14-inch nonstick frying pan over medium heat.
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Add the chopped onion, red bell pepper, minced garlic, and chopped jalapeno to the pan.
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Sauté the vegetables, stirring often, until the onion is limp but not browned, about 5 minutes.
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While the vegetables cook, place the drained and rinsed pinto beans in a large bowl.
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Coarsely mash the beans with a potato masher until they are mostly smooth but still have some texture and stick together.
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Stir the sautéed vegetable mixture into the mashed beans.
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Add the liquid smoke, chopped cilantro, ground cumin, and pepper to the bean mixture and mix well to combine.
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Let the bean mixture cool until it is cool enough to handle.
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Spread the yellow cornmeal on a sheet of waxed paper or a plate.
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Divide the bean mixture into 8 equal portions and shape each portion into a 1/2-inch thick cake.
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Coat each cake lightly with the cornmeal on all sides.
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Return the frying pan to medium-high heat and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of salad oil.
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Once the oil is hot, add the bean cakes to the pan.
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Fry the cakes for 8 to 10 minutes, turning them over once, until both sides are lightly browned and crisp.
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If the cakes start to stick to the pan, coat the pan with cooking spray as needed.
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Transfer the cooked cakes to a serving plate and serve warm with the tomato-based salsa.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4 servings
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 258kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 5.7g9%
- Saturated Fat 0.8g4%
- Sodium 160mg7%
- Total Carbohydrate 34g12%
- Dietary Fiber 8g32%
- Sugars 1.7g
- Protein 12g24%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.