Spicy Catfish Cakes for the Slow Carb Lifestyle
Why I Love This Recipe
Since starting the Slow Carb Diet/Lifestyle a year ago, I have been on a quest to find and adapt dishes that have a robust flavor profile, but are quick and easy. Inspired by one of Gordon Ramsey's shows, I tried a range of fishcake recipes, eventually creating one I was in love with.
After experimenting with different renditions of fish cakes, I found that fish cakes can be as dry as cardboard. Creating a flavorable, tender cake came down to two variations: what kind of fish was used, and how thoroughly the fish was broken down in the mixing process.
Using a mix of cod and catfish, these fishcakes were flaky, tender and mellow in flavor, enhanced by a spicy chile sauce and a tangy tartar sauce.
Submitted by: "Dorothy Stainbrook"
Ingredients You'll Need
2 Tbsp grapeseed oil
2 lbs. skinless cod and/or catfish filets, cut into small pieces
2 large eggs
3 Tbsp scallions, sliced thinly on an angle
3 Tbsp Italian parsley leaves, chopped
2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp grated fresh ginger
1/4 tsp coriander
1 tsp chipotle powder, (or any chile powder)
squeeze of fresh lime juice (I used juice from 2 lime wedges)
1/4 tsp fish sauce
1/2 cup Panko crumbs (leave these out if you are strictly following SCD)
Directions
Preheat oven to 200 degrees F
Combine all ingredients in large bowl and mash together with fork or hands until well blended. What you are aiming for is a mixture of small, medium and large chunks of fish.
Using your hands, form small balls of the fish mixture into patties about 1/2 inch thick and about 2-3 inches in diameter (about 1/3 cup each).
Heat 2 Tbsp oil in large skillet (cast iron if you have it), until lightly smoking (about 3 minutes). Place patties in skillet starting at 6:00 direction and moving clockwise, so you remember which ones to turn over first. Do not crowd the patties; leave a little room between each one.
Cook patties until browned and crispy on one side (about 5 minutes). Do not move them around while they are browning.
Flip, starting at the 6:00 fish cake, and brown about 3 minutes or less on the other side
Remove the fish cakes to a baking sheet and place in oven to keep warm. Add more oil to skillet if needed and repeat process with remaining patties.