Spiced Salmon Patties

There are a few things from my childhood that I have hung on to. One of them is my inability to handle criticism and another is Salmon Patties.

I grew up in a vegetarian household that allowed fish and occasionally white meat chicken. Canned salmon and tuna were an absolute staple. Affordable and family friendly. Our family subsisted on cans of salmon and home made soup. Those were my mom's go to dinner options after a really long day.

These salmon patties remind me of standing next to the stove with my mom, my head barely clearing the counter, forming these balls in my hand using stale saltines to bind the pink meat together. 

My mom would always let me help in the kitchen, but my real duties included setting the table and doing the dishes after dinner. I didn't mind doing those chores as long as I got to help my mom do the cooking. She often had the soft sounds of a Naked Gun movie playing in the background and she would laugh while we chopped, swirled, and sizzled these patties until they had a golden brown crust. 

Then my dad would get home and my mom would whisper instructions to me as she floated up the stairs with him to talk about the day. Ten minutes later, we would all sit down together over these crisp salmon patties, some hunks of Italian bread and usually a salad or steamed vegetables. 

These Spiced Salmon Patties remind me of those many nights, just the four of us sitting across the table together, our legs sharing space beneath the oak table. I've updated the recipe. Added some Indian and curry spices, omitted the stale saltines and replaced them with milled flax.

But the essence remains as do the Naked Gun movies that still make my mother howl with laughter. My favorite sound to hear coming from her lips. 

Now on with the recipe!

Spiced Salmon Patties

1 (15 Ounce) Can Red Salmon; Drained

1 Medium Egg

2 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce

2 tsp. Fish Sauce

1 tbsp. Dried Ginger

3 cloves Garlic; minced

1/2 tsp. Cumin

1/2 tsp. Curry Powder

1/4 cup Celery; minced

1/2 tsp. Black Pepper

1/4 tsp. Red Pepper

1 tbsp. Milled Flax seed
1/4 Cup Toasted Sesame Seeds

For the Yogurt Curry Dressing:

1/2 Cup Plain Non-Fat Yogurt
1 tbsp. Lemon Juice
1 tsp. Curry Powder
1/4 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. Black Pepper

1. Add the can of red salmon to a large mixing bowl. Remove and discard any grey skin, then mash the salmon between your fingers to crush any small bones and gently break up the salmon making a smooth paste out of the salmon meat. 

2. Add the egg, Worcestershire sauce, fish sauce, ginger, garlic, cumin, curry, minced celery, black pepper, red pepper, and milled flax seed.

3. Combine the ingredients mixing with your hands. Then form into 4 equal patties. Place the toasted sesame seeds on a large plate and press the patties into the toasted sesame seeds. Place only a few sesame seeds on the plate at a time to ensure each patty is equally coated with sesame seeds on both sides. Flip carefully to press toasted sesame seeds on both sides.

4. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and spray with canola oil cooking spray. Once the skillet is hot, add the patties. Cook the first side for 4-6 minutes. You want it to become crisp and browned so that the patty holds together. Then flip and cook the other side for another 6-7 minutes or until that side is browned and crisp as well. Try not to move them around much while they are cooking so they don't break up in the skillet. If a few things fall out, no worries, these are little tasters for you

5. Remove from skillet and in a small bowl combine the yogurt, lemon juice, curry powder, salt, and pepper. Serve immediately with a drizzle of yogurt curry dressing on top.

Servings: 4

Nutritional Skinny:

 182 calories / 8.6 g fat / .8 g carbohydrates / .6 g fiber / 24.6 g protein

Mental Health Benefit: These little golden salmon patties are loaded with protein from the salmon and also loaded with omega 3's from the salmon and the flax seed. Not to mention these are extremely cost effective to make and serve to your family. Served on a bed of fresh lettuce or spinach and you are really hitting the health button from all ends! And with only 182 calories these delicious little nuggets are a happy lunch or dinner!