Cod Cakes With Ginger And Scallions Food

COD CAKES

Steps:

• Fill a shallow, wide pan with high sides with about an inch of water, and set it over high heat. Add the peppercorns, bay leaf and 1 section of the lemon to the water, and allow it to come to a bare simmer. Place the fish into this poaching liquid, and cook, barely simmering, until the flesh has just begun to whiten all the way through, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Using a wide spatula, carefully remove the fish from the water, and set aside to cool.
• Empty the pan, and return it to the stove, over medium-high heat. Add the butter, and allow it to melt, swirling it around the pan. When the butter foams, add the celery, onions and garlic, and sauté, stirring often, until the vegetables soften and the onions turn translucent, then transfer them to a large bowl.
• In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, mustard, eggs, salt, pepper and seasoning salt (or paprika and hot-pepper flakes), then add this mixture to the bowl with the sautéed vegetables, pour the crushed saltines or bread crumbs over them and stir to combine. Add the parsley, and stir again.
• Flake the cooked fish into the binding sauce carefully, keeping the flakes as whole as you can manage, then gather them into small balls, and form them into patties, 4-6 for a main course, 6-8 for an appetizer. Place them on a sheet pan or platter, cover loosely with plastic wrap and transfer them to the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to set.
• Set a large sauté pan over high heat, and add to it the neutral oil. When the oil is shimmering, remove the fish cakes from the refrigerator, and carefully sauté the patties until they are golden brown, approximately 4 to 5 minutes a side. Work in batches if necessary. (A small smear of mayonnaise on the exterior of the patties will give them a crisp crust.) Serve them alone, or with greens dressed in a lemony vinaigrette, with the remaining wedges of lemon.

COD CAKES WITH GINGER AND SCALLIONS

Steps:

• Boil the potato in salted water to cover until it is tender but not mushy, 30 to 40 minutes.
• Meanwhile, put the fish in a skillet that can later be covered. Add water to cover, salt the water, and bring to a boil over high heat. Cover, turn off the heat, and set a timer for 10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fish to a bowl.
• When the potato is done, peel it and mash it with the fish. Add the ginger, cilantro, and chile along with some salt and pepper to taste and work the mixture with your hands until it is well blended. Shape into 8 equal burger-shaped patties.
• Preheat the broiler and set the rack about 4 inches from the heat source. Brush the patties on both sides with the oil, then place on a nonstick baking sheet. Broil carefully until nicely browned on top, then turn and brown on the other side. Sprinkle with more cilantro and serve hot, with lime wedges.
• Variations
• Panfried Fish Cakes: Increase the oil to 1/3 cup, or more if necessary. Heat about 1/16 inch oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When it is hot (a pinch of the fish mixture will sizzle immediately), add the cakes. Cook, turning once, until brown on both sides, about 10 minutes total.
• Substitute minced garlic, shallot, scallion, or onion for the ginger and parsley for the cilantro.
• Season with a grating of nutmeg or a teaspoon or more of curry powder (in place of the seasonings in the original recipe).
• Add 1/4 cup or more sour cream and a little butter to the potato as you mash it.
• Add minced yellow or red bell pepper to the mix.
• Serve with Mayonnaise (page 305) or tartar sauce (page 306), Worcestershire sauce, or any other condiment

STEAMED COD WITH GINGER AND SCALLIONS

Steps:

• In a large skillet with a tight-fitting lid, combine vinegar, soy sauce, and ginger. Season both sides of cod fillets with salt and pepper; place in skillet. Bring liquid to a boil; reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cover; cook until fish is almost opaque throughout, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cut green parts of scallions into 3-inch lengths; thinly slice lengthwise (reserve white parts for another use). Scatter over fish; cover and cook until fish is opaque throughout and scallions are just wilted, about 2 minutes more. Serve immediately.

COD FISH CAKES

Steps:

• Place the potatoes in a large pot of water, bring the water to a boil. Let the potatoes cook until they are almost tender.
• Add the fish to the pot and let the fish and potatoes cook until they are both soft. Drain well and transfer the potatoes and fish to a large mixing bowl.
• Add butter, onion, parsley, and egg to the bowl; mash the mixture together. Mold the mixture into patties.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over a medium-high heat. Fry the patties on both sides until golden brown. Drain on paper towels before serving.

STEAMED FISH WITH GINGER AND SCALLIONS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Place each fish fillet on a large piece of aluminum foil.
• Combine the smashed ginger, scallions, oil and salt and pepper and distribute the mixture among the four pieces of fish.
• Bring up the ends of each piece of foil and close up to form four loose pouches.
• Place the four pouches on a cookie sheet and place in the oven for about ten minutes.
• While the fish is cooking, make the sauce by combing the ingredients and stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
• Open one foil packet and make sure fish is coked through.
• If so, place each piece of fish on an individual serving plate on which you have pooled a tablespoon or two of the warm sauce and garnish with the julienned scallions and ginger.
• Drizzle the hot oil over the fish and serve, with extra sauce on the side.

STEAMED COD WITH GINGER AND SCALLIONS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, combine vinegar, soy sauce, and ginger. Season both sides of cod with salt and pepper; place in skillet with vinegar mixture.
• Bring to a boil; reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook until fish is almost opaque throughout, 6-8 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cut green parts of scallions into 3 inch lengths; thinly slice lengthwise. Scatter over fish; cook, covered, until fish is opaque throughout and scallions are just wilted, about 2 minutes.

STEAMED COD WITH GINGER AND SCALLIONS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, combine 3 tablespoons rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, and 2 tablespoons finely grated peeled fresh ginger.
• Season both sides of 4 skinless cod fillets (6 to 8 ounces each) with coarse salt and ground pepper; place in skillet with vinegar mixture. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cover; cook until fish is almost opaque throughout, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cut green parts of 6 scallions into 3-inch lengths; thinly slice lengthwise. Scatter over fish; cook (covered) until fish is opaque throughout and scallions are just wilted, about 2 minutes more.

FRESH COD CAKES

Steps:

• Tear bread into pieces and pulse to fine crumbs in a food processor. Transfer a scant cup of crumbs to a bowl for fish cakes and reserve remaining 1 1/2 cups in a shallow bowl for coating. Pulse celery and scallions in processor until coarsely chopped, then add parsley and pulse until finely chopped. Combine celery mixture with scant cup crumbs in bowl (for fish cakes).
• Pulse fish in processor until finely chopped (be careful not to process to a paste). Add fish to celery-crumb mixture along with egg, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper, stirring until combined well.
• Season bread crumbs in shallow bowl with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Gently shape fish mixture into 4 (4-inch) patties (mixture will be soft) and coat well with seasoned bread crumbs. Chill, uncovered, on a wax-paper-lined large plate 10 minutes.
• Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then fry 2 fish cakes, turning over once, until golden brown and cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes total. Repeat with remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oil and 2 fish cakes, wiping out skillet with a paper towel between batches.