Black Bean Cakes

2 tbsp vegetable oil, plus more for frying

1 small onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice

1 garlic clove, minced

¾ tsp ground cumin

¼ tsp cayenne

2 15-ounce-can black beans, drained

1 ¼ cups cups plain dry bread crumbs

kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

⅓ cup all-purpose flour

2 large eggs, beaten

sour cream, avocado, scallions and lime wedges, for serving

In a medium skillet, heat the vegetable oil. Add the onion and garlic and cook over moderate heat just until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the cumin and cayenne and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Scrape the onion mixture into the bowl of a food processor. Add half of the beans and pulse until the mixture is finely chopped but not smooth. Scrape the mixture into a medium bowl.

Mix in the remaining whole beans and bread crumbs and season with salt and pepper. Form the mixture into twelve 1/4-cup patties, about 1/2 inch thick.

Put the flour, beaten eggs, and the remaining bread crumbs into 3 shallow bowls. Dust each black bean cake with the flour, tapping off the excess. Dip the cakes in the egg and then in the bread crumbs, pressing so that the bread crumbs adhere.

In a very large skillet, heat 1/8 inch of oil until shimmering. Add the cakes and fry over moderate heat until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels. Serve the black bean cakes with sour cream, avocado, scallions, and lime wedges.

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Black Bean Cakes