Black Bean & Cheese

One of my favorite taco places in Austin serves something that is so simple, it kind of surprises you it's so good. Warm slices of queso fresco, refried black beans and a green salsa. Amazing. I've recreated those same flavors for lunch on a dreary, rainy Saturday.

Taco #2

Recipe: Spicy Black Bean Cakes

Beans are a delicious, nutritious and economical staple in diets around the world. When I was growing up, dinner might have been a giant pot of beans with a plate of hot, crispy cornbread topped with butter and molasses. Cucina povera of the American South.

This dish is almost as simple as a pot of beans, but with a spicy Southwestern inspiration. Use your favorite brand of canned beans and think about something wonderful to go on the side. Some cilantro lime rice? An avocado salad? Maybe a slaw with lime juice and cumin? Make it something simple and you'll have a delicious meal probably worthy of guests.

Recipe: Spicy Black Bean Cakes

You might worry that the uncooked sweet potato would add an unfavorable texture to the patties, but as long as it's nicely shredded, it will cook just fine in the allotted time. I adapted this recipe from one from Martha Stewart.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
6 garlic cloves, pressed
1 to 2 jalapeno chiles, finely chopped (ribs and seeds removed for less heat, if desired)
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 cans (15.5 ounces each) black beans, drained and rinsed
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 large sweet potato, peeled and coarsely grated (yielding about 2 cups)
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup plain dried breadcrumbs (I use panko.)
1 lime, quartered plus more for garnish if you want.

Heat broiler. In a small skillet over medium heat, warm 1 tablespoon olive oil. Cook the onions until softened, 5 minute. Add garlic, jalapeno, and cumin; cook until fragrant, 30 seconds. Transfer to a big yellow bowl.

Add beans to bowl; mash with a fork or a potato masher, leaving about 1/4 of the beans whole. Season generously with salt and pepper. Fold in sweet potato, egg, and breadcrumbs. Divide into 8 balls of equal size; flatten into patties.

Brush a baking sheet with remaining tablespoon oil; place patties on sheet, 1/2 inch apart. Broil 4 inches from heat until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. With a thin cookie-style spatula, carefully turn cakes. Broil until crisp, 2 to 3 minutes more. Squeeze fresh lime over them after you take them from the oven.

Mangez!