Salmon Cakes & Patties

It can be challenging to work all day and then come up with a quick, nutritious and yummy supper night after night! After cooking for my family for 25+ years I sometimes feel like I'm cooking the same thing over and over. So I've been trying some new recipes lately, but also going back to some I've cooked many times.

Here are two recipes for salmon cakes or patties. The first recipe is the way my Mom always made them - easy and quick. The second recipe is a bit more involved, but well worth the effort.

Salmon Patties -

1 lb. can salmon
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 cup cracker crumbs
1/2 cup canola oil

Open can and drain liquid from salmon. Remove bones and skin from salmon. Flake salmon in small mixing bowl. Beat eggs and stir in milk and salt and pepper. Add to salmon. Mix in seasonings and crumbs. Form into small patties. Heat oil in skillet over medium heat. Place patties in skillet and brown; turn once and brown on the other side. Place on paper towels to drain the oil. Serves 5-6.

I tried the following recipe tonight. Same result - delicious salmon cakes with a few more flavors added in.

Salmon Cakes (Recipe courtesy Melissa d'Arabian)

Ingredients

• 2 strips bacon, cooked until crispy, crumbled, bacon fat reserved
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 lemon, zested
• 1 (14-ounce) can wild salmon, checked for large bones
• 1 baked or boiled russet potato, peeled, and fluffed with a fork
• 1/4 cup bread crumbs
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil

Directions

Heat 1 tablespoon of the reserved bacon fat in a small saute pan over low heat. Add the onions and cook until translucent. Cool the onions for a bit.

Mix the bacon, onion, egg, mayonnaise, mustard, sugar, and lemon zest in a bowl. Add the salmon and potato, mixing gently after each addition. Form the mixture into 12 small patties. In a shallow dish, combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan, and pepper, to taste. Coat the patties in the bread crumb topping. Heat 1/4 cup of the oil in a large saute pan over medium heat, and cook the salmon cakes in batches until golden, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Add more oil, as necessary. Arrange on a serving platter and serve.

So depending on how much time you have . . . and how many of the ingredients you have on hand, try one of these recipes and see if you don't agree with me!

Have fun in the kitchen!!

Pink Apron Girl