Rice & Corn Cakes with Spicy Black Beans

From EatingWell: April/May 2005 — Subscribe Now!

These crispy fried patties get a swift kick from the easy-to-make bean-and-salsa accompaniment. Instant brown rice only takes about 10 minutes, a great shortcut on a busy night. Garnish with sour cream and scallions.

READER'S COMMENT:

"These are completely delish. I make them as a side without the black beans to spicy mexican soups or I eat them just as they are for lunch. Would also be great if you made them small and served them as an appetizer I bet - might have to...

Rice & Corn Cakes with Spicy Black Beans Recipe

4 servings

Active Time: 35 minutes (including rice-cooking time)

Total Time: 50 minutes

Nutrition Profile

Ingredients

1 cup instant brown rice
6 scallions, trimmed and sliced
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme, or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed
1 cup frozen corn
1 cup fresh whole-wheat breadcrumbs, (see Tip)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 large eggs
4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed
1 cup tomato salsa, mild, medium or hot

Preparation

Cook rice with the amount of water called for in the package directions, adding scallions, garlic and thyme to the water. Remove from heat and stir in corn, breadcrumbs, salt and pepper. Let stand for about 5 minutes to cool slightly.
Whisk eggs in a large bowl until frothy. Add the rice mixture and mash with a potato masher until the mixture holds together (it will be fairly soft), about 1 minute. Shape the mixture into 8 patties.
Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully transfer 4 patties to the pan with a spatula and cook until browned and crispy, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate; cover to keep warm. Wipe out the pan with a paper towel, add the remaining 2 teaspoons oil and repeat with the remaining 4 patties.
Meanwhile, combine beans and salsa in a small saucepan and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until hot, about 5 minutes. To serve, divide the beans among 4 plates and top with 2 patties each.

Tips & Notes

Tip: To make fresh breadcrumbs, trim crusts from firm sandwich bread. Tear bread into pieces and process in a food processor until coarse crumbs form. One slice of bread makes about 1/3 cup crumbs.

Nutrition

Per serving: 354 calories; 14 g fat (2 g sat, 6 g mono); 106 mg cholesterol; 50 g carbohydrates; 17 g protein; 12 g fiber; 650 mg sodium; 585 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Fiber (48% daily value), Vitamin C (27% dv), Iron (28% dv).

2 1/2 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 3 1/2 starch, 1 very lean meat, 1 fat