Spicy Black Bean Cakes

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   Black Bean Cakes:

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   1. Pick over beans to remove any debris or withered beans, then soak beans in water overnight. Drain and rinse beans. In a medium covered pot, cook beans in boiling water over medium heat until tender, about one hour. If you decide to use canned beans, use 2 cans low-sodium black beans and rinse them well before proceeding.

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   2. Heat broiler. In a small skillet, warm 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Cook scallions until softened, 1 minute; then add garlic, jalapeno, and cumin, cooking just until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Transfer to a large bowl.

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   3. Add cooked 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. Using clean hands, gently fold in grated sweet potato, beaten egg, and breadcrumbs. With your hands, create lacrosse ball-sized mounds (slightly smaller than a tennis ball), and flatten into patties. Be careful not to make the mounds to big, or else the cakes might fall apart when you flatten them.

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   4. Line a baking sheet with tin foil and brush foil with remaining oil; place patties on sheet, 1/2 inch apart. Broil 4 inches from heat until golden brown, 8-10 minutes. Carefully flip cakes with a thin metal spatula, and broil about 2-3 minutes more.

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   Lime Sour Cream:

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   1. In a small bowl, combine sour cream with lime juice and jalapeno; add a light dusting of cumin and garlic powder, stir well. Add coarse salt and stir well. Increase amounts of lime juice or spices, as desired.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.