Instructions: In a small heavy skillet cook onion, bell pepper, and garlic in butter over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until softened. In a bowl mash one-third beans with a fork and stir in remaining beans, onion mixture, bread crumbs, egg, coriander, salt, and pepper to taste.

Form mixture into four 4-inch patties. (Mixture will be wet and soft.)

Gently dredge patties in cornmeal and transfer to a large plate lined with plastic wrap.

In a heavy skillet heat 1/4-inch oil over moderate heat until hot but not smoking and cook patties in 2 batches 1 1/2 minutes on each side, transferring to paper towels to drain.

Serve bean cakes with salsa (recipe follows).

Yield: 2 servings

If you would like to email yourself the recipe for later use, or share the recipe with your friends or family, enter the email addresses below and this recipe will be emailed to you and others as well.