BLACK BEAN CAKES WITH SPICY CILANTRO SAUCE RECIPE

Steps:

• Heat the butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened. In a bowl, mash 1/3 of the beans with a fork and stir in the remaining beans, onion mixture, bread crumbs, and cilantro and season with salt and pepper. Stir in the eggs. Form bean mixture into 8 (4-inch) patties (mixture will be wet and soft). Gently dredge patties in cornmeal and transfer to a large plate lined with plastic wrap. Refrigerate the cakes for 30 minutes and up to 12 hours. Pour enough oil into a heavy skillet to reach 1/4-inch up the side. Heat the oil over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Working in batches, cook the patties, turning once, until well browned, about 1 1/2 minutes per side. Transfer the cakes to paper towels to drain. Divide the cakes among plates and serve with the Spicy Cilantro Sauce. Spicy Cilantro Sauce: Stir together cilantro, vegetable oil, soy sauce, garlic, lime juice, and chile. Season with salt and pepper. (Makes about 1 cup) This recipe yields 4 servings.