Meatless Mondays: Black Bean Patties

Another Meatless Mondays post using black beans.  My husband created these after watching a cooking show with Emeril Lagasse--these are loosely based on Emeril's recipe.

Ingredients:

1 15 oz. can of black beans

1 egg

1/2 cup chopped onions

1 clove garlic

1 Tablespoon Panko bread crumbs

1 1/2 Tablespoons flour (you may need more, depending on consistency)

1/2 teaspoon Pasilla Molida seasoning (optional--you can also use Cumin)

salt and pepper to taste

Heat olive oil in large skillet.  Add the onion and garlic and saute until tender.

Meanwhile, drain beans well, pour into bowl and mash with back of spoon to a course paste (there should be some whole beans left)

Let onions cool slightly then add to bean mixture.  Add pasilla, salt and pepper to taste.  Add egg, Panko and flour and stir thoroughly.  Consistency should be thick enough when you scoop some in spoon for it to stick for a few seconds when you turn it upside down.  If not, then add more flour.

Spoon mixture into 1/2 cup portions

Heat olive oil in large skillet.  Pour portions into pan, flattening into round patties.Cook on low until brown on one side.  Flip and cook until brown on second side.  Helpful hint: When I first tried this I kept flipping back and forth and they fell apart.  My second batch came out better--I flattened them a little more and I left them alone while they got nice and brown on one side then the other.

Garnish with avocado (you can also use sour cream, salsa--be creative!) and serve with salad.  I used mache lettuce and heirloom grape tomatoes.

Recipe makes 4 patties, but can easily be doubled.  Enjoy!