Black Bean Cakes

4            green onions, thinly sliced

2            medium garlic cloves, finely chopped

½            medium red or yellow pepper, finely diced

2            teaspoons extra virgin olive oil, divided

¼            teaspoon kosher salt

1            can (15-ounce) black beans, well drained

1            teaspoon chopped fresh cilantro

¼            teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

¼            teaspoon ground cumin

1            teaspoon fresh lime juice

Nutritional information per cake:

Calories 268 (8% from fat) • carb. 41g • pro. 17g

• fat 3g • sat. fat 0g • chol. 0mg • sod. 818mg

• calc. 74mg • fiber 16g

1 .  Insert plates on griddle side. Preheat the Cuisinart® Griddler®  Compact to High.

2 .  Toss the onions, garlic, pepper, oil and salt together in a mixing bowl.

3 .  Once the griddle has preheated, open the unit to extend flat and evenly distribute the vegetables between the griddle plates.  Cook until vegetables are slightly soft and browned, about 5 minutes.

4 .  While vegetables are cooking, pulse 1 cup of the beans in a food processor so that they are roughly puréed.

5 .  Once vegetables are done, return them to the mixing bowl with both the whole and puréed beans and mix well with the cilantro, remaining spices and lime juice. Form bean mixture into ¼-cup patties. Carefully wipe the griddle with paper towels and then wipe them again with the remaining olive oil.

6 .  Place bean cakes evenly spaced on the griddle plates and cook about 5 to 6 minutes on High.

Note: We recommend serving with sour cream, salsa and guacamole.