Spicy Black Bean cakes + a GIVEAWAY

My favorite restaurant in Greensboro is Lucky 32

This is a locally owned restaurant that takes to heart the farm to table ideal.  By doing so they offer a seasonal menu with the freshest of ingredients. 

My favorite item on their menu is their black bean cakes, I can't ever talk myself into getting anything else as I have a complete love affair with the cakes.

I have attempted black bean cakes in the past and they haven't ever come out quite right...until now!!!

Ingredients

2 cans black beans (drained and rinsed)
1/2 C diced tomato
1 onion
1 bell pepper (I chose red for my version)
1/4 C cilantro chopped
1 C crushed croutons (or breadcrumbs, whatever you have handy)
1 jalapeno seeded and diced
1 tsp tabasco
1 C crushed tortilla chips
1/2 tsp cumin
2 Tbsp olive oil

In a bowl combine your black beans, tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, cilantro, croutons, jalapeno, and tabasco.

I found it easy to "squish" the ingredients together by hand to make sure everything was combined and that a proper patty could be formed (you could use a potato masher if you wanted).

Next take a handful of black bean mix and form into patties (I made mine the size of my palm to make the shaping easier).

In a shallow dish combine your tortilla chips and cumin, and mix gently with a fork.

Take each patty and coat with tortilla mixture on both sides.

Place your patties in a skillet with your olive oil.

Cook until each side is golden brown and crisp.

I plated mine with a little ranch dressing and fresh chopped tomatoes (to help ease with the heat)

These are wonderful!  They taste just like the ones from the restaurant and you can freeze the extra patties you make to have for a meal later in the week.

Now on to the part you have been waiting for (hopefully though you will keep the black bean cake in mind and try it out yourself, I promise it will be better then a beef hamburger) the GIVEAWAY.

Melissa from Ecolissa contacted me about trying out some of the vegan clothing that she has available in her on-line store. 

I was so excited to peruse what was available that I really had a hard time selecting something.  Ultimately I went with the Hip To Bamboo Perfect Racer and Hip to Bamboo Vinyasa Long Pants

OH I am in LOVE with the bamboo clothing. 

I have never had any before and decided I would give my workout wear a punch.  The softness just can't be rivaled by conventional fabrics.

The racer comes with a shelf bra.  The waist band of the shirt helps it stay in place so that it won't ride up while you are in downward dog or doing some aerobics. 

The pants fit snugly but allow you plenty of freedom of movement.

They are both smooth like "buttah" (think Linda Richman from Saturday Night Live when you say that...don't know who she is check out YouTube).

Ecolissa offers a wide variety of items from outdoor apparel to accessories, such as the piece that I am giving away:

This necklace is made by Project Have Hope, so it is a fair trade item.

The necklace is approximately 18" in length and the beautiful large beads are made from rolled up paper (which are laquered to give them their gorgeous shine).

Just for a little background Project Have Hope works with a group of 100 women in the Acholi Quarter of Uganda and helps them transform their lives and the lives of their families. Through the sale of their beautiful, handmade paper bead jewelry, the women can feed their families, send their children to school, and look forward to a richer future.

HOW TO ENTER AND GIVEAWAY RULES

First leave a comment on what your favorite item from Ecolissa is

HERE ARE FOUR ADDITIONAL WAYS TO ENTER

1. Post a link to this on your blog, facebook or twitter page and leave a separate comment that you blogged, facebooked or tweeted about it.  You can use this "go enter a jewelry GIVEAWAY @rachelkyle0402 is having! http://bit.ly/oHbAXQ" and include the link or create your own with the link included.
2. Follow to my blog! leave a separate comment that you are following, or that you are already follow.
3. Go like My Naturally Frugal Family on Facebook
4. Follow me on Twitter @rachelkyle0402

That is FIVE ways to enter.  Each comment that you leave for each of the items counts as an entry so DON'T combine any of these into one comment.

The drawing ends on Sunday August 14th and the winner will be announced on Monday's (August 15th) post.

Oh and ONE final thing if you aren't lucky enough to win this gorgeous and eco conscience necklace you do have an opportunity to purchase it through Ecolissa (or any of her other fabulous items) at 20% off just use the code "eco20" when you check out.

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