Black-Eyed Pea Patties with Garlic Pepper Salsa

Combine minced garlic and chiles in a large bowl. Place 1 teaspoon garlic mixture in a small bowl; set aside. Add peas to remaining garlic mixture in large bowl; mash mixture with a potato masher. Stir in bell pepper, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, cumin, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and egg, stirring until well blended. Divide mixture into 12 equal portions (about 1/4 cup each), shaping each into a 1/2-inch-thick patty.

Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 6 patties; cook 4 minutes on each side or until browned. Repeat procedure with the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil and 6 patties.

Add remaining 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, chopped tomato, and fresh lime juice to the reserved garlic mixture in bowl; stir well. Serve with patties.

Beer note: Sometimes it's fun to conjure a little sunshine with your autumn meals. And these salsa-laced patties mark the perfect occasion to enjoy a refreshing Caribbean beer like Red Stripe Lager ($50/six-pack) from Jamaica. Beers that are developed alongside spicy cuisine tend to be light-bodied, balanced, neutral, and incredibly quaffable, making this beer a good choice with the patties' serrano peppers and cumin. --Jeffery Lindenmuth