These Pinto-Bean-and-Brown-Rice Cakelets are a spiffy way to jazz up some everyday flavors into something extraordinarily special. What's more, these small packages pack a huge health wallop.
If you already have some cooked brown rice and canned beans sitting around, it will take very little time to put these together. But even if you don't, these are certainly worth the effort. Plus, you can be experimental and play around with new herbs and spices, if you like.
So here's my recipe for these little treats. Serve them up with some pita pockets or wrapped in some rotis, or just by themselves, with an avocado salsa or guacamole, perhaps. They are pretty yummy any time of the day.
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Pinto-Bean-and-Brown-Rice Cakelets:
Ingredients:
1 cup dried pinto beans, soaked and then cooked until tender (substitute with 2 cups canned, but remember to rinse the beans thoroughly)
1 cup cooked brown rice
¼ cup cilantro leaves, chopped
1 teaspoon red chili powder
½ medium red onion, minced
1 tablespoon ginger, grated
3 garlic cloves, minced
½ cup vegan mayonnaise
2 tablespoon chickpea (garbanzo bean) flour
Salt to taste.
2 tablespoon canola oil
Mash the beans and rice slightly, then mix them together along with all the other ingredients except the oil.
Heat the oil in a cast-iron or non-stick skillet.
Take small lumps of the pinto-bean-rice mixture and shape into patties. I make mine pretty tiny (hence cakelets), just about an-inch-and-a-half across, but feel free to make them a little bigger, even burger-size, if you prefer.
Place them in the hot oil and cook each side for about 2 minutes or until nicely golden-brown and crusty.
Drain on a paper towel to soak up any excess oil and serve hot!
Mary
I love all the recipes in the blog. Thanks Vaishali.
Chitra
What is a vegetarian substitute for vegennaise or mayo? I have my reservations about using canola oil. Do you think hummus would work instead? This recipe sounds delicious. Can't wait to try it.
Vaishali
Hi Chitra, you could try hummus or whipped tofu. Just use the same proportion -- 1/2 cup. Hope you try it!
Sanam Karunakar
Hi Vaishali.. I visited your blog for the first time today through a freind Shubas blog and while going through the list of recepies I found "paws off the plate" and I thought u had recepies for our beloved pooches 🙂 but i was pleasantly surprised to read your entry.. I too own a Bichon and work with dogs here in India and reading Nikes' story was really heart warming. Great job Vaishali and I am glad I stopped by 🙂
take care and a tight hug and kiss for all your animal friends..
Sunshinemom
I got so caught up with your writing, that my banana nut bread just got burnt :(! I love animals too but I can't think of looking after a pet. It is too demanding. I love your dedication. I am huge fan of James Herriot and Gerald Durrell. Loved your write up:)
Vaishali
Meera, Thank you for your kind words. As much as I love animals, it took me quite a few years to transition to animal-free eating, and I often wish I had done it sooner.
Madhuram, Thank you very much. I do hope you will try your hand at baking bread someday. It is truly addictive and the more one bakes, the better one gets at it.
Madhuram
Thank you for visiting my blog. This is my first time visit to your blog. I love what you are doing, both taking care of animals and vegan cooking. I'm not a vegan I consume dairy products and store bought cakes and pastries. I just don't bring eggs home.
I want to try all the recipes in your blog, especially the brownies and breads. I think it will take time for me to try my hands on bread. I have bookmarked your site.
Thank you for the pinto beans recipe. Will surely try it very soon.
Meera
You are such a wonderful person, Vaishali. Your love, passion for animals is so touching. May God bless you.I am sorry to read that Nike is no more, but his life was full of loving people like u & his new family.
cakelets look delicious.
Vaishali
Susan, sorry I forgot to answer that question on the dipping sauce- I think anything with a slightly spicy kick might work, like a green coriander chutney (there's a recipe on my blog at . A tomato salsa might also work very well with the flavors, I think.
Vaishali
Thanks, Susan. Lovely to hear about your rescued cats. Cats are indeed so addictive, aren't they?
Anonymous, you are welcome. Chickpea flour is a great binder and I find it much tastier and lighter than bread crumbs. Hope you have a chance to try these soon.
Susan
Thank you for sharing Nike's sad but beautiful story, Vaishali. We all deserve second chances. All the cats in our family are rescue animals, three of them adults when adopted. Once we get out of our cramped condo, we see another kitten in our future. : )
Your recipe looks yummy. What kind of dipping sauce would you suggest, salsa perhaps?
Vaishali
Ms. Crystal, Eric- Welcome, and thanks.
Chocolatecoveredvegan- Thanks. Nike was truly adorable and we miss him.
ChocolateCoveredVegan
What an adorable dog; and it’s so nice that Nike was able to have such a nice, albeit short life with loving people (both your family and then the lady who adopted him).
Ms.Crystal
Those look so yummy./.....
Anonymous
Yay! I am newly gluten-free and it is SO hard to find burger/patty recipes that don't involve breadcrumbs or gluten. I will be trying these very soon. Thank you!
Vaishali
Dhivya, thanks.
Uma, Thanks. He was definitely a cutie and we miss him terribly.
Cham, thanks.
Bee, thanks.
bee
those are gorgeous animals. so are your cakelets.
Cham
The story made me down , but the cakelet sounds great.
Uma
Poor Nike! He looked so cute! So sad! It's so touching! Your narration was great, Vaishali!
And for the recipe part, wonderful treat with the pinto beans. Sounds yummy! Must have tasted great.
Dhivya
wow!looks so yumm