She Strengthens

Mexican-Inspired Brunch Delight

Elevate your weekend brunch game with this flavorful, easy-to-make dish that combines the best of Mexican cuisine with the comfort of a hearty breakfast.

The Perfect Combination

Black bean cakes infused with hot sauce and fresh herbs, paired with crispy fried eggs and a creamy avocado crema, create a delightful fusion of textures and flavors. This recipe is perfect for a crowd, and with some advance prep, you’ll be serving up a delicious brunch in no time.

Advance Prep Made Easy

Make the most of your time by preparing the avocado crema up to two hours ahead, refrigerating it until ready to serve. The black bean cakes can be made a day in advance, cooled, and reheated in the oven before assembling the dish.

Tips and Variations

For an added crunch, serve the black bean cakes with fried eggs, which complement the soft texture of the cakes beautifully. Alternatively, poached eggs work well too. If you prefer, use dried beans instead of canned, and adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Get Cooking!

Black Bean Cakes

• 1/4 cup finely ground yellow cornmeal
• 2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 medium garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup white onion, finely chopped
• 4 teaspoons hot sauce
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil

Avocado Crema

• 1 medium avocado, cut in half lengthwise, peel and pit removed
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice

Assembly

• 6 fried eggs

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 300°F and arrange a rack in the middle.
2. In a shallow dish, place the cornmeal and set aside.
3. In a food processor, combine the black beans, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, cilantro, onion, hot sauce, and salt. Pulse until the ingredients are incorporated and the beans are broken down, about 15 pulses.
4. Form 6 (3-inch) patties and dust each patty on both sides with cornmeal. Place on a baking sheet.
5. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes. Fry the patties until golden, about 3 to 5 minutes per side. Return the patties to the baking sheet and keep warm in the oven.
6. To make the avocado crema, process all the ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Season with salt.
7. To assemble, place a black bean cake on each serving plate, top with a fried egg, and dollop with 2 tablespoons of the crema. Serve immediately and enjoy!