These wild salmon patties are made with a combination of fresh and tinned salmon. You could also use 4 fresh salmon fillets if you prefer and omit the tinned salmon. The freshly made Thai herb and spice paste gives these fish cakes bags of zingy and spicy flavours. It can be whizzed up quickly days in advance and kept in the fridge. You can make a large batch of the patties for dinner and have some leftovers for breakfast. They keep a couple of days in the fridge, or freeze for a couple of months. Just heat them up in the oven before serving. Great also as party canapés/finger food.
MAKES 20-24 PATTIES
INGREDIENTS
2 wild salmon fillets
1 tin of wild salmon, e.g. Fish4Ever
Coconut oil for frying
Herb and spice paste:
1 large lemongrass stalks
1 red chilli
1 shallot (OR: ½ red onion)
4 cloves of garlic
Thumb size piece of ginger root
Thumb size piece of turmeric root
A handful of fresh coriander
2 tsp Thai fish sauce
1 tsp gluten-free tamari soy sauce
Juice and zest of ½ lime
1 tsp coconut oil
Black pepper
METHOD
- Make the herb and spice paste in a mini chopper/food processor by blitzing up all paste ingredients.
- Take the skin off the fresh salmon fillets* and cut the salmon into chunks.
- Place the salmon chunks and the tinned salmon into a food processor and pulse a few times.
- Add the herb paste and blend until mixed well.
- Form mini patties out of the paste with your hands and place on a small lined tray.
- Refrigerate the patties for an hour or so.
- Fry the patties briefly on both sides in a non-stick frying pan in coconut oil over medium heat until some browning appear and the patties are cooked through.
- Serve with a spicy dipping sauce or chilli mayonnaise.
*Tip: Make some crispy salmon skins by placing the skins, cut side down, on a small oven tray. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt on both sides, then grill under a medium hot grill until crispy, turning over once or twice.
Nutritional Information
Salmon
- High in anti-inflammatory omega-3 oils EPA/DHA, great for brain health and heart health
- High in protein and contains bioactive peptides that may support joint and bone health, increase collagen production and reduce inflammation
- Excellent source of vitamins B12, B3, B6 and D
- Excellent source of the antioxidant mineral selenium
- Like any fish, particularly larger fish, salmon may contain heavy metals such as mercury but its high selenium content may counteract the toxic effects of mercury (selenium binds to mercury and aids its detoxification – mercury is less likely to accumulate in the body when selenium levels are adequate).
- Lower risk of contamination from wild-caught salmon than from farmed salmon
Turmeric
- Contains a wide range of phytochemicals, e.g. curcumin, turmerin and zingiberene, which may have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-cancer properties
- Over 3000 studies on curcumin on PubMed; researchers have discovered over 100 molecules in the body that may be targeted by curcumin alone
- Consume with black pepper and fat to increase absorption of curcumin
- May help relieve joint pain, reduce inflammation, suppress cancer growth
- May enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy
Ginger
- Contains phytochemicals gingerols, shogaols and zingiberene that have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer and anti-bacterial properties
- Dried ginger powder is a more concentrated source of these compounds than fresh ginger root
- May aid digestion and relieve pain, motion sickness and nausea (safe during pregnancy when consumed in moderation)
- May lower blood glucose levels and the risk of diabetes & heart disease, as well as protect against age-related damage to the brain
Coriander
- Contains vitamin K, carotenoids & minerals potassium, calcium, manganese, iron and magnesium
- Rich in a wide range of phytonutrients, such as flavonols quercetin and kaempferol, as well as anthocyanins
- Anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory
- Effective detoxifier – removes toxins, such as heavy metals, particularly lead from the body
- Heart health – may improve blood lipids and lower blood pressure
- Diuretic
- Anti-microbial against pathogenic bacteria, e.g. salmonella
Lemongrass
- High in minerals manganese, iron, potassium, magnesium, zinc, copper & the B vitamin folate
- Contains many phytochemicals, which may have medicinal properties
Chilli
- High in vitamins C and B6
- Contains phytochemicals beta-carotene (precursor to vitamin A) and capsaicin (compound that gives chillies their heat, mostly in the white membrane and seeds)
- May help reduce oxidation of molecules such as LDL cholesterol, fight inflammation, relieve pain, clear congestion, lose weight
Lime
- High in vitamin C
- Contains phytochemical flavonoids – antioxidant, antibiotic
- High in phytochemical limonin (mainly in the pith and rind) that may provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory anti-carcinogenic and anti-stress properties and protect liver from injury/inflammation