Black Bean Croquettes and Fried Plantains- A Very Sexy Meal?

For honeymoon 1, Seth and I spent a few days in lovely Asheville, NC and enjoyed one of our favorite restaurants- Salsa's.  A must have on the menu is their fried plantains.  They are oh-so good!  And then on honeymoon 2, we enjoyed fried plantains made just for us by the cutest man on the face of the planet- Miguel.  Suffice it to say that fried plantains have a special connotation in our mind (wink wink).

Also, did you know that, according to InterCourses, black beans are an aphrodisiac.  Apparently back in the day nuns weren't allowed to eat them because they were thought to increase fertility (not that we're looking to do that...).  So with that all said, I present you with a questionably sexy meal- black bean croquettes and fried plantains!

Yes, I need to work on my food photography skills...

Black Bean Croquettes
From Eating Well

Ingredients
2 cans of black beans, rinsed and drained
1 tsp. cumin
1 c. corn kearnls
1/4 c. plus 1/3 c. bread crumbs
2 c. chopped tomatoes
2 scallions, sliced
1/4 c. chopped cilantro
1 tsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tbs. olive oil
1 avocado, diced


Directions
1. Preheat over to 425, spray a baking sheet with cooking spray
2. Mash black beans and cumin with a fork until no whole beans remain.  Stir in 1/4 c. breadcrumbs.  In a separate bowl combine tomatoes, scallions, cilantro, 1/2 tsp. chili powder and salt.  Stir 1 c. of the tomato mixture into the black bean mixture.
3. Mix 1/3 c. of breadcrumbs, olive oil and 1/2 tsp of chili powder.  Form the black bean mixture into 8 balls and coat with the breadcrumbs.  Place on the baking sheet.
4.  Bake for 20 minutes or until brown.   Add the avocado to the remaining tomato mixture and serve along side the croquettes.


Fried Plantains
1.  Coat a skillet with oil and heat over medium high heat.
2. Slice 2 plantains.
3. Place plantain slices in the skillet, being careful not to crowd the pan.  Turn slices over after about 3 minutes or until browned.  Repeat until both sides of the plantain are nice and brown.  Drain on paper towels.
4.  Serve with guacamole.