Black-Eyed Pea Patties with Garlic Pepper Salsa

RECIPE

Black-eyed peas were introduced in the Caribbean by African slaves. Somewhat drier than other legumes, they are ivory-gray in color with a black "eye" at the inner curve. They go by many names, including gungo and pigeon peas. These patties can be shaped an hour in advance; cover and refrigerate.

Yield
6 servings (serving size: 2 patties and 1/3 cup salsa)

Ingredients
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 serrano chiles, seeded and finely chopped
2 (16-ounce) cans black-eyed peas, rinsed and well drained
1/3 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
6 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, divided
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1 large egg
1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
2 cups chopped tomato
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice

Preparation
Combine minced garlic and chiles in a large bowl. Place 1 teaspoon garlic mixture in a small bowl; set aside. Add peas to remaining garlic mixture in large bowl; mash mixture with a potato masher. Stir in bell pepper, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, cumin, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and egg, stirring until well blended. Divide mixture into 12 equal portions (about 1/4 cup each), shaping each into a 1/2-inch-thick patty.

Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 6 patties; cook 4 minutes on each side or until browned. Repeat procedure with the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil and 6 patties.

Add remaining 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, chopped tomato, and fresh lime juice to the reserved garlic mixture in bowl; stir well. Serve with patties.

Beer note: Sometimes it's fun to conjure a little sunshine with your autumn meals. And these salsa-laced patties mark the perfect occasion to enjoy a refreshing Caribbean beer like Red Stripe Lager ($7.50/six-pack) from Jamaica. Beers that are developed alongside spicy cuisine tend to be light-bodied, balanced, neutral, and incredibly quaffable, making this beer a good choice with the patties' serrano peppers and cumin. --Jeffery Lindenmuth

Nutritional Information
Calories:119 (29% from fat)
Fat:3.9g (sat 0.7g,mono 2g,poly 0.7g)
Protein:6.1g
Carbohydrate:16g
Fiber:4.1g
Cholesterol:35mg
Iron:1.5mg
Sodium:435mg
Calcium:37mg

Caribbean cooking@home
by cooking mania

Pork Medallions in Caribbean Nut Sauce

RECIPE

Yield
4 servings (serving size: 3 ounces pork, 1/2 cup sauce, and 1 cup rice)

Ingredients
6 garlic cloves, peeled
4 teaspoons chopped peeled fresh ginger
2 teaspoons cumin seeds
1/4 teaspoon curry powder
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/4 cup unsalted, dry-roasted peanuts
1 tablespoon hot water
1 (1-pound) pork tenderloin, trimmed
Cooking spray
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
6 tablespoons water, divided
2 cups thinly sliced red onion
3 tablespoons light coconut milk
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
4 cups hot cooked long-grain rice

Preparation
Place garlic cloves in a food processor, and process until minced. Add ginger, cumin, curry, and red pepper, and process until blended. Add peanuts and hot water, and pulse until well-blended, scraping sides of bowl occasionally.

Cut pork crosswise into 1-inch slices. Place each piece between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap; flatten each piece to 1/2-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Coat pork with cooking spray. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork; sauté 2 minutes on each side or until browned. Place pork in a shallow bowl. Add soy sauce and 2 tablespoons water to pan, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Add soy sauce mixture to pork; keep warm.

Add onion to pan; sauté 3 minutes. Add 1/4 cup peanut mixture; cook 4 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup water, coconut milk, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Return pork mixture to pan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 1 minute. Combine remaining peanut mixture with rice. Serve pork and sauce with rice.

Nutritional Information
Calories:460 (16% from fat)
Fat:8.9g (sat 2.1g,mono 3.9g,poly 2.1g)
Protein:31.5g
Carbohydrate:61.2g
Fiber:3.1g
Cholesterol:74mg
Iron:4.5mg
Sodium:554mg
Calcium:69mg

Caribbean cooking@home
by cooking mania