*  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                      PINTO BEAN CAKES WITH SALSA

Recipe By     :
Serving Size  : 4    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Main Dish                        Appetizers
               Vegetarian

 Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
  1 1/2   tb           Salad oil
  1       sm           Onion -- finely chopped
    1/4   c            Red bell pepper
                       - (finely chopped)
  2                    Garlic cloves -- minced
  1       md           Fresh jalapeno chili
                       - seeded & finely chopped
  2       cn           Pinto beans (15 oz each)
                       - drained & rinsed
    1/8   ts           Liquid smoke
    1/4   c            Chopped fresh cilantro
    1/2   ts           Ground cumin
    1/4   ts           Pepper
    1/3   c            Yellow cornmeal
                       Cooking spray (optional)
  1       c            Tomato-based salsa
                       - homemade or purchased

 In a 12- to 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.



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