Ingredients
- 2 garlic (cloves)
- 1 onion
- 1 jalapeno chili (fresh)
- 1/8 liquid smoke
- 1 c tomato-based salsa
- 3/8 c cornmeal (yellow)
- 1/4 c bell pepper (red)
- 1/4 c cilantro (chopped fresh)
- 1 1/2 tb salad oil
- 1/2 ts cumin (ground)
- 1/4 ts pepper
- 2 packages pinto beans
homemade or purchased In a 12to 14-inch nonstick frying pan over medium heat, combine 1 1/2 teaspoons of the oil with the onion, bell pepper, garlic and chili. Stir often until onion is limp but not browned, about 5 minutes. In a bowl, coarsely mash beans with a potato masher until they stick together. Stir in onion mixture, liquid smoke, cilantro, cumin, and pepper, mixing well. Spread cornmeal on a sheet of waxed paper. When bean mixture is cool to touch, divide into 8 equal portions, shaping each into a 1/2-inch thick cake. Coat cakes with cornmeal. Return the frying pan to medium-high heat. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil. When oil is hot, add cakes and brown lightly, 8 to 10 minutes; turn cakes over once. Coat pan with cooking oil spray if cakes start to stick. Serve cakes with salsa to add to taste.