Fishcakes With Lime Coconut Food

THAI FISH CAKES

Steps:

• Place fish, red curry paste, cilantro/coriander, fish sauce, lime and egg in a food processor. Whizz until the fish is minced and it looks like a paste. (See video)
• Transfer to a bowl and stir through rice flour and green beans until flour is all incorporated. (Note 4)
• Measure 1/4 cup of mixture (I use an ice cream scoop - Note 5), form 1cm / 2/5" thick patties.
• Heat enough oil in skillet over medium high heat to cover the base (4 tbsp or so)
• Place in oil, cook 2 minutes until deep golden brown, then turn and cook the other side for 2 minutes. Transfer to paper towel lined plate.
• Repeat with remaining mixture, adding more oil into the skillet if required.
• Serve with Sweet Chilli Sauce, garnished with cilantro/coriander leaves and lime wedges on the side. Add a side of Thai Fried Rice or even just plain jasmine rice to make a meal!

CLASSIC THAI FISH CAKES

Steps:

• Rinse fish and pat dry thoroughly. Cut into chunks and place in food processor or large chopper.
• In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine the coconut milk , fish sauce, chili powder, cumin , coriander, and brown sugar. Stir with a fork to combine, then pour into the processor over the fish.
• Add 1/2 cup bread crumbs , makrut lime leaf strips, green onion, galangal or ginger, garlic, and chili pepper. Pulse to combine. You should be able to pick this mixture up in your hand and form it into cakes. If you find it too wet, add more breadcrumbs and pulse again until you get a good consistency. (Much of this will depend on the fish you're using and how much moisture it contains).
• Scoop up a small amount in your hand (about the size of a golf ball), pat into a small cake and set on a clean plate. Note that traditional ​Thai fish cakes are small and not too thick (about 2 inches in diameter and 3/4- to 1-inch thick). It helps to rinse your hands every so often with cool water to prevent the mixture from sticking.
• Set the plate of cakes in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to firm up. Meanwhile, pour oil into a small frying pan or wok , at least 1-inch deep, and prepare your garnishes.
• Heat oil; when hot enough (a breadcrumb should sizzle and cook immediately when dropped in), gently set cakes in oil. Fry 30 seconds to 1 minute before turning, gently lifting cakes from the bottom of the pan. Fry until golden brown and drain on paper towel.
• Serve immediately with cucumber and Thai sweet chili sauce on the side for dipping. Top with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges that should be squeezed over just before eating.

FISH CAKES WITH HERBS AND CHILES

Steps:

• In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add garlic and cook until golden brown at the edges, about 2 minutes.
• Season fish with 1 teaspoon salt and the pepper, add to pan and let cook for 1 minute. Add vermouth and 2 tablespoons water. Turn heat to low, cover and cook until fish is just barely cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Move fish to a plate, keeping any liquid and garlic in skillet.
• In the same skillet over high heat, add potatoes, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and water to just cover. Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer, cover and cook until tender, about 15 minutes.
• Flake fish. Drain potatoes and garlic, and place in a large bowl. Roughly mash potatoes and garlic, then add flaked fish, eggs, cilantro, basil, scallion, chile, cayenne, lime zest and panko, and combine. Season with salt if needed. Cover and chill for at least 3 hours.
• Place flour on a plate. Form generous 1/4 cup fish patties about 1/2 inch thick. Dip patties into flour to lightly coat each side.
• In a large, preferably nonstick skillet, heat 1/8 inch of olive oil over medium heat. Cook fish cakes until golden brown, about 5 to 8 minutes each side, adding more oil as needed. Move to a paper-towel-lined plate.
• If using lime pickle or preserved lemon, stir into mayonnaise. Serve fish cakes with the mayonnaise (with or without pickles) and lime wedges.