Akara (Bean Pattie)

1/2 cup bean flour
3/4 cup water
1 tablespoon chopped onion
1/4 tsp. crushed or chopped hot pepper (optional, to taste. Examples of hot peppers to use - habanero, cayenne, or jalapeno)
1/4 tsp. sea salt
2 cups vegetable oil

In a bowl, mix the bean flour and water, adding the water slowly, until the mixture is smooth. Add onions, pepper and salt. Let the batter sit for about two minutes.

While the mixture is sitting:
Heat the oil in a deep fryer. Drop 1 tbsp of batter into the hot oil. Repeat until you have four to six individual patties in the pan. As the patties turn a golden brown, turn with a spatula, until each side is golden brown. Remove from pan. Serve hot.

Serve as a sandwich, with lettuce, slices of tomatoes and onions, and olives on rye bread or bun; or as a snack or appetizer. In Nigeria, it is eaten with ogi (corn flour pudding)