Kicked Up Black Bean Cakes

Great Side Dish or Main Dish...

2 Cans Black Beans (drained and rinsed)
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
6 Cloves Garlic (pressed)
1 Jalapeno (minced)
1 Tablespoon Ground Cumin
Salt/Pepper
1 Large Sweet Potato (peeled and coarsely grated into 2 cups)
1 Egg (beaten)
1/2 Cup Breadcrumb
Lime Sour Cream (recipe below)
Special Equipment...Fork or Potato Masher

Heat oven broiler
In a medium skillet heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and add garlic, jalapeno and cumin
Cook till fragrant about 30 seconds
Transfer mixture to a large bowl
Add beans to mixture and mash with a fork or masher, leaving 1/4 of beans whole
Season generously with salt/pepper
Fold in sweet potato, egg and breadcrumb
Brush baking sheet with remaining olive oil
Divide into 10-12 balls of equal size and flatten into patties
Place patties on baking sheet
Broil 4 inches from heat until golden brown about 8-10 minutes
Carefully turn patties and broil for an additional 2-3 minutes
Remove from oven and cool slightly
Top with Lime Sour Cream

Lime Sour Cream
1/2 Cup Reduced Fat Sour Cream
2 Teaspoons Fresh Lime Juice
Salt/Pepper

In a bowl combine sour cream and lime juice
Season with salt

Turkey Chili

Quick Meal...

1.30 lb. Ground Turkey
1 Stick Unsalted Butter
Garlic Powder
Salt/Pepper
1 Bottle Beer
1 Can Black Beans (rinsed and drained)
Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Over medium heat melt butter
Once butter is melted add ground turkey and season generously with garlic powder
Cook for 2 minutes
Season salt/pepper
Add 1/4 cup of beer and stir
Cook ground turkey for 10 minutes or until no longer pink inside
Add beans and cheddar cheese
Stir till cheese is melted
Serve with warm tortilla wraps

Black Bean and Corn Salad

A No Cook Recipe...My Mother In Law Loved It

1 Can Black Beans (drained and rinsed)
1 Can Corn (drained and rinsed)
1 Red Bell Pepper (seeded and diced)
1 Jalapeño (optional; seeded and sliced thin)
1/2 Small Red Onion (diced)
2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
2 Teaspoons Hot Sauce
1 Lime (juiced)
Cilantro (a small handful chopped)

In a medium size bowl combine all ingredients
Let stand 15 minutes before serving
Can be served as a side dish or with tortilla chips as an appetizer

***this recipe can be made ahead of time and refrigerated