Fish Cakes With Variations Recipes

CLASSIC FISH CAKES

Steps:

• Place all ingredients, except for the breadcrumbs, in a large bowl and mash until thoroughly combined.Form the mixture into 8 equal patties and roll them in the panko breadcrumbs. (You can make smaller patties if you prefer.) Refrigerate the patties for at least 30 minutes or until they've firmed up.
• Heat some oil in a non-stick pan and fry the patties on each side for 3-4 minutes until lightly browned, being careful not to overcrowd the pan.
• Serve immediately with our BEST homemade tartar sauce!

ULTIMATE FISH CAKES

Steps:

• Mix together 125ml mayonnaise, 1 rounded tbsp roughly chopped capers, 1 rounded tsp creamed horseradish, 1 rounded tsp Dijon mustard, 1 small very finley chopped shallot and 1 tsp finely chopped flatleaf parsley. Set aside.
• Lay 450g skinned Icelandic cod or haddock fillet and 2 bay leaves in a frying pan. Pour over 150ml milk and 150ml water.
• Cover, bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 4 mins. Take off the heat and let stand, covered, for 10 mins to gently finish cooking the fish.
• Meanwhile, peel and chop 350g Maris Piper potatoes into even-sized chunks. Put them in a saucepan and just cover with boiling water. Add a pinch of salt, bring back to the boil and simmer for 10 mins or until tender, but not broken up.
• Lift the fish out of the milk with a slotted spoon and put on a plate to cool. Drain the potatoes in a colander and leave for a min or two.
• Tip the potatoes back into the hot pan on the lowest heat you can and let them dry out for 1 min, mashing them with a fork and stirring so they don't stick. You should have a light, dry fluffy mash.
• Take off the heat and beat in 1 rounded tbsp of the sauce, then ½ tsp lemon zest, 1 tbsp chopped flatleaf parsley and 1 tbsp snipped chives.
• Season well with salt and pepper. The potato should have a good flavour, so taste and adjust to suit.
• Drain off liquid from the fish, grind some pepper over it, then flake it into big chunks into the pan of potatoes.
• Using your hands, gently lift the fish and potatoes together so they just mix. You'll only need a couple of turns, or the fish will break up too much. Put to one side and cool.
• Beat 1 egg on a large plate and lightly flour a board. Spread 85g fresh white breadcrumbs on a baking sheet. Divide the fish cake mixture into four.
• On the floured board, and with floured hands, carefully shape into four cakes, about 2.5cm thick. One by one, sit each cake in the egg, and brush over the top and sides so it is completely coated.
• Sit the cakes on the crumbs, patting the crumbs on the sides and tops so they are lightly covered. Transfer to a plate, cover and chill for 30 mins (or up to a day ahead).
• Heat 3-4 tbsp vegetable or sunflower oil in a large frying pan. To test when ready, drop a piece of the dry breadcrumbs in - if it sizzles and quickly turns golden brown, it is ready to use.
• Fry the fish cakes over a medium heat for about 5 mins on each side or until crisp and golden. Serve with the rest of the sauce (squeeze in a little lemon to taste), lemon wedges for squeezing over and watercress.

FISH CAKES (WITH VARIATIONS)

Steps:

• Mix together stuffing mix, water, mayonnaise, tuna, relish, cheese and carrots.
• Cover and refrigerate 10 minutes.
• Heat a large non-stick frying pan sprayed with cooking spray on medium heat.
• For each fish cake, shape 1/2 cup of the stuffing mixture into a patty.
• Add to frying pan in batches.
• Cook 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown on both sides, turning over carefully.
• VARIATIONS: Keeping with the main recipe (with the addition of the water and mayonnaise amounts) you can use the following combination of ingredients:
• Crabmeat Cakes- 2 (120g) cans crabmeat, drained and flaked, 2 tablespoons tartar sauce, 1/2 cup finely chopped celery.
• Salmon Cakes- 2 (213g) cans salmon, drained, skin and bones discarded, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup chopped green onion.
• Shrimp Cakes- 2 (106g) cans tiny cooked shrimp, drained and flaked, 2 tablespoons
• barbecue sauce, 1/2 cup finely chopped green pepper.