Black Bean Fritters with Spicy Sauce

Recipe By: Alice Morrow

Ingredients

Instructions

FRITTERS: In heavy bottomed pan, heat over medium-high heat, the oil and cook the bacon, onion, jalapenos and celery until golden. Stir occasionally.
Turn heat to low and stir in thyme, garlic and lemon juice. Cook for another 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
Add ½ of the beans and smash with a masher or fork until semi-smooth.
Transfer this mixture to a larger bowl. Stir in remaining beans and blend well.
Stir in parsley or cilantro, baking powder, flour, egg, cheese, salt and pepper. Mixture will be moist but not watery. Add more flour is mixture is runny. Stir in a little at a time until it thickens. Place mixture in refrigerator to chill.
Pour oil into cast iron skillet, filling up ¼” on the side. Bring to 350 temp.
For the topping, stir in a few shakes of Tabasco into Spicy mayo or regular mayo, depending on how spicy you like it. Set aside.
In a bowl, whisk together the cornmeal and flour. Remove batter from refrigerator.
Spoon 1 T. of batter into cornmeal mixture and roll to coat. Carefully drop into hot oil.
Cook until golden on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Turn the fritters as they cook. Cook a few at a time, do not crowd pan.
Remove fritters to paper towels to drain.
Serve hot with spicy sauce. Garnish with chives.