Curiously, I look forward to all those salmon and mayonnaise lunches finished off with meringues or strawberries and cream that are so popular at this time of year. Here on the Isle of Wight, May also signals Asparagus Season so if you are going to serve a vegetable with these fishcakes, I recommend hand picked Isle of Wight Asparagus.
Recipe:
Salmon Fish Cakes with Tartar Sauce
Serves 4
750kg lightly cooked salmon, flaked
1egg beaten
75ml thick mayonnaise – homemade is best or a little more of less you- don’t want the fish cakes to be sloppy.
1 tbsp sour cream
2 the inside of 2 baked potatoes
Salt and white pepper
1tsp chopped parsley
The zest of 1 organic lemon
Stir together the mayonnaise, sour cream, potato, lemon zest and egg. and season with salt and pepper. Gently fold in the slamon flakes and shape into 4 thick cakes.
2 tbsp flour
Salt and pepper
1 large egg
Bread crumbs made from a stale loaf
Olive oil
Unsalted butter
Put the flour on to a flat plate and season with the salt and pepper. Put the egg on to a flattish plate and beat. Take about 2 large handfuls (or more if you need it) of the breadcrumbs and put those on to a plate – so basically you end up with 3 plates – one of seasoned flour, one of egg and one with the breadcrumbs.
*You can prepare them up to this point 24 hours in advance.
Dip each fish cake into the flour first then the egg and then the breadcrumbs – really press them in. Heat up about tbsp of butter and a good glug of sunflower in a heavy based frying pan until sizzling then fry the fish cakes for 2-3 minutes on each side and keep warm. They should be golden.
Serve with a wedge of lemon and the Tarragon Tartar sauce.
Tartar Sauce
This makes enough sauce for 8 people so store it in the fridge
250ml Mayonnaise
125ml Crème fraiche
2-3 spring onions or a wedge of red onion
5 cornichons
6 green olives
1 tbsp tarragon leaves
1 anchovy
Tarragon vinegar to taste or lemon juice
Salt and pepper
Whiz everything up in a food processor but not too finely you want a bit of texture.
Tip:
You must have all the right kit for fishing and Farlows,
www.farlows.co.uk has the best. I fancy the 4-rack Bradley Digital Smoker, oh and the cloths are good too!
This article by Amy Willcock appears in The
Shooting Gazette May 2009, and is reproduced here with permission.
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