Drain the beans (if using canned): pour through a sieve and rinse with cold water, set aside to drain. Peel the onion and chop it into very small cubes (the finer, the better it will spread in the patty). Peel the garlic and finely chop or press it through a garlic press. If using parsley, chop it finely.
Description
Black bean pancakes are moist, intensely flavored fritters using black beans as a base — an ideal addition for Halloween. The pancakes have a dark, almost black color, contrasting with a light yogurt sauce reminiscent of "eye sockets," creating a striking seasonal presentation. Inspiration: Polish plant-based cuisine with a party twist — the pancakes can be served as a side to meat dishes (game, roasted duck) or as a snack for a party, with a spicy touch of smoked paprika and fresh herbs. Texture: slightly crispy crust, soft interior. The recipe uses simple ingredients available in Poland and provides alternatives for the sauce to match the taste to the guests.
Ingredients Used
Ingredients (13)
- Black bean 400 g
- Chicken egg 2 pcs (~120 g)
- Wheat flour 80 g
- Onion 1 pcs (~150 g)
- Garlic 2 clove (~10 g)
- Rapeseed oil 30 g
- Baking powder 5 g
- 🌿 Spices
- Salt 0.1 pinch (~3 g)
- Black pepper 4 pinch (~2 g)
- Smoked paprika 1 tsp (~2 g)
- ✨ Optional
- Parsley 0.5 bunch (~15 g)
- Natural yogurt 150 g
- Lemon 0.4 pcs (~30 g)
💡 Click an ingredient to mark it as used
Preparation steps
Preparation of the filling
Sauté the onion: heat a pan over medium heat, pour in 15 g of oil (1 tablespoon). Add the chopped onion and sauté for 4–6 minutes, stirring, until it becomes soft and translucent — without browning too much. Finally, add the garlic and sauté for another 30–40 seconds until the aroma is released. Transfer the onion and garlic to a plate, cool for 5 minutes.
Mash the beans: transfer the drained beans to a large bowl. Use a fork, potato masher, or immersion blender — if using a blender, pulse briefly to avoid making a complete purée; the texture should be slightly chunky. If doing it by hand, mash in batches for 2–3 minutes until most of the beans are broken down.
To the mashed beans, add the cooled sautéed onion with garlic, crack in the eggs, add the flour, baking powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix with a spoon or spatula until the ingredients are combined. The mixture should be thick and sticky — if it is too runny, add 10–20 g of flour, if too thick, add a tablespoon of water or 1 tablespoon of oil. Let the mixture rest for 8–10 minutes to allow the flour to swell slightly.
Shaping and frying
Heat a skillet over medium heat. Pour in the remaining 15 g of oil and spread it around. Use a tablespoon to scoop out portions of the mixture (about 40–50 g each) and place them in the skillet, forming round patties with a diameter of 6–8 cm; lightly flatten the tops with a second spoon. Fry for 3–4 minutes on the first side, until the edges are set and a crispy crust forms, then flip and fry for another 3–4 minutes. If the patties are browning too quickly, reduce the heat. Fry in batches, do not overcrowd the skillet.
Dip and serving
Prepare the dip: in a small bowl, mix natural yogurt with the juice of half a lemon (about 15–30 g of juice), chopped parsley (optional), and a pinch of salt. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Place the pancakes on a paper towel to drain excess fat, then arrange 3–4 pancakes next to each other on a plate and make a small dollop of dip on each — for Halloween, you can make two dollops resembling eyes.
Decoration and serving: arrange the pancakes on a dark plate, add 1–2 dollops of dip on each, and place a drop of chili sauce or a bit of smoked paprika in the center of the dollop as the 'pupil'. Sprinkle with finely chopped parsley to resemble 'spider web' strands. Serve warm as a side dish or as a snack for a Halloween party.
Fun Fact
Black beans are a popular ingredient in Latin American cuisine, but in Poland, they work perfectly as a base for pancakes and patties. Their dark color fits perfectly into the Halloween aesthetic, creating a striking, contrasting presentation with light dips.
Best for
Tips
Serve the pancakes on a dark plate with a light dip (yogurt or sour cream). For vegetarian guests, add a salad of pickled cucumbers and roasted apples. At the party, stack the pancakes and decorate them with 'eyes' made from the dip to emphasize the Halloween theme.
Store the pancakes in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours in an airtight container, and before serving, reheat them in a skillet over medium heat for 2–3 minutes on each side to regain their crispiness. Store the dip separately for up to 3 days. Freezing the pancakes is not recommended (texture change).
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