Skip to main content

Spicy Black-Bean Cakes

Because these crispy bean cakes are broiled rather than fried, the recipe doesn’t call for much oil, so the cakes contain less fat; they are also easier to prepare than fried versions.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 4

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
4 scallions, thinly sliced
6 garlic cloves, pressed
1 to 2 jalapeño 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 fresh ground pepper
1 large sweet potato, peeled and coarsely grated (2 cups)
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup plain dried breadcrumbs
Lime Sour Cream (recipe below)

Lime Sour Cream

1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
1 small jalapeño chile, minced (ribs and seeds removed for less heat, if desired)
Coarse salt

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat the broiler. In a small skillet over medium heat, warm 1 tablespoon of the oil. Cook the scallions until softened, 1 minute. Add the garlic, jalapeño, and cumin; cook until fragrant, 30 seconds. Transfer to a large bowl.

    Step 2

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

    Step 3

    Brush a baking sheet with the remaining tablespoon oil; place the patties on the sheet, 1/2 inch apart. Broil 4 inches from the heat until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. With a thin metal spatula, carefully turn the cakes. Broil until crisp, 2 to 3 minutes more. Serve with the lime sour cream.

  2. Lime Sour Cream

    Step 4

    In a small bowl, combine the sour cream with the lime juice and jalapeño; season with salt.

  3. easy grating

    Step 5

    If you want to grate the potatoes with a box grater (instead of a food processor), use the large holes, and work over a bowl.

Reprinted with permission from Everyday Food: Great Food Fast by Martha Stewart Living Magazine. Copyright © 2007 by Martha Stewart Living Magazine. Published by Crown Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved. Martha Stewart Living magazine was first published in 1990. Over the years, more than two dozen books have been published by the magazine's editors. Martha Stewart is the author of dozens of best-selling books on cooking, entertaining, gardening, weddings, and decorating. She is the host of The Martha Stewart Show, the successful daily syndicated television show.
Read More
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Put that half-full tub to use with recipes that go beyond the Italian American classics.
This one-pot dinner cooks chicken thighs directly on top of a bed of flavorful cilantro rice studded with black beans for a complete dinner.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
This easy, one-skillet chicken stroganoff features tender chicken breasts, savory mushrooms, and a creamy Dijon-crème fraîche sauce—perfect for weeknights.
Like Sri Lankan cashew curry and vegan stuffed shells.
Use this simple vinaigrette to dress a plate of greens, some steamed potatoes, or anything else that strikes your fancy.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.