Fish Cakes

Fish Cakes

A couple of years ago I wrote an article about salmon croquettes for the Nosher (My Jewish Learning). I acknowledged that salmon croquettes (latkes, patties) are not particularly elegant and not fashionable, and yet they are beloved in so many Jewish families. I don’t know anyone above a “certain age” whose mom or grandma did NOT make salmon latkes.

For me, salmon latkes are not only great food, they conjure many memories (they were my mother’s favorite — and last — meal). I make them the way my mom made them (the recipe is in the article link above).

And yet I also vary the recipe so much that I can’t, in good conscience, call them salmon latkes. First, because I don’t always use salmon. Second, I add a lot of extras that weren’t ever part of my mom’s original recipe.

Here’s one of my favorite variations. I make it with bluefish because I really love bluefish. But any fish will do.

Fish Cakes with Sun Dried Tomatoes

• 2 medium Yukon gold potatoes

• 2 cups crumbled cooked fish

• 1 large egg

• 1 thick scallion, finely chopped

• 1/4 cup chopped black imported olives

• 1/4 cup chopped sun dried tomatoes

• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

• salt and pepper to taste

• all-purpose flour for dredging, about 1/4 cup

• 2 tablespoon butter

• 2 tablespoon olive oil

• lemon quarters

Cut the potatoes into large chunks and cook them in lightly salted water for 12-15 minutes or until tender. Drain under cold water and peel. Mash the potatoes and place them in a bowl. Add the fish, egg, scallion, olives, tomatoes, parsley, mustard and salt and pepper to taste. Mix the ingredients to distribute them evenly. Shape portions of the mixture into 4 patties about 1/2-thick. Dredge the patties in the flour and shake off the excess. Heat the butter and olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. When the butter has melted and looks foamy, add the patties and cook for about 3 minutes per side or until hot, crispy and golden brown. Serve garnished with lemon quarters.

Makes 4 servings

Pureed Borscht, Best Served Cold

Pureed Borscht

I have several really good recipes for borscht: seasoned with cumin and rye bread crumbs; made with cauliflower instead of cabbage; seasoned with orange and mint. It’s one of my favorite soups and actually kind of a miracle because it’s just as good and pleasing when it’s chunky and served hot during the cold winter months and equally wonderful and satisfying when it’s pureed and served cold during the summer.

Try this version next time you have a yen for borscht:

Classic Borscht

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 4 medium beets, peeled and shredded

• 3 tomatoes, chopped

• 2 parsnips, peeled and shredded

• 2 carrots, peeled and shredded

• 2 stalks celery, sliced

• 1/2 medium green cabbage, shredded

• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

• 8 cups vegetable stock

• 1 bay leaf

• 1-1/2 teaspoons salt or to taste

• freshly ground black pepper to taste

• 3 all-purpose potatoes, peeled and diced

• 6 tablespoons white vinegar, approximately

• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

• dairy sour cream or plain Greek style yogurt

• chopped chives or scallion tops for garnish

Heat the vegetable oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes. Add the beets, tomatoes, parsnips, carrots, celery, cabbage and parsley and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-6 minutes. Pour in the stock, add the bay leaf and salt and pepper to taste. Bring the liquid to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, partially covered, one hour. Add the potatoes and cook for 45 minutes. Stir in the vinegar and dill and cook for 10 minutes. Taste for seasoning and add more salt, pepper or vinegar to taste. Remove the bay leaf. Puree the soup and chill for at least one hour or until cold. Serve garnished with a dollop of sour cream and chopped chives.

 Makes 10 servings

Pureed Borscht

I have several really good recipes for borscht: seasoned with cumin and rye bread crumbs; made with cauliflower instead of cabbage; seasoned with orange and mint. It’s one of my favorite soups and actually kind of a miracle because it’s just as good and pleasing when it’s chunky and served hot during the cold winter months and equally wonderful and satisfying when it’s pureed and served cold during the summer.

Try this version next time you have a yen for borscht:

Classic Borscht

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 4 medium beets, peeled and shredded

• 3 tomatoes, chopped

• 2 parsnips, peeled and shredded

• 2 carrots, peeled and shredded

• 2 stalks celery, sliced

• 1/2 medium green cabbage, shredded

• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

• 8 cups vegetable stock

• 1 bay leaf

• 1-1/2 teaspoons salt or to taste

• freshly ground black pepper to taste

• 3 all-purpose potatoes, peeled and diced

• 6 tablespoons white vinegar, approximately

• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

• dairy sour cream or plain Greek style yogurt

• chopped chives or scallion tops for garnish

Heat the vegetable oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes. Add the beets, tomatoes, parsnips, carrots, celery, cabbage and parsley and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-6 minutes. Pour in the stock, add the bay leaf and salt and pepper to taste. Bring the liquid to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, partially covered, one hour. Add the potatoes and cook for 45 minutes. Stir in the vinegar and dill and cook for 10 minutes. Taste for seasoning and add more salt, pepper or vinegar to taste. Remove the bay leaf. Puree the soup and chill for at least one hour or until cold. Serve garnished with a dollop of sour cream and chopped chives.

 Makes 10 servings

Quickie Cole Slaw (Dairy)

I had some buttermilk leftover from a baking class I taught at the New Canaan YMCA. I made some biscuits but still had a bit more buttermilk left so I made a dairy version of cole slaw which was perfect with grilled salmon and a tomato-avocado salad.

Great warm-weather goodies.

This is a simple recipe because I used what I had — no parsley garnish, alas! Since I was cooking for just the two of us, this recipe —- half the amounts I usually use for cole slaw — took almost no time! And it was perfect for two people for two nights of dinner.

Buttermilk Cole Slaw

• 1/2 cup buttermilk

• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise

• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• 1-1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

• 3 cups packed shredded cabbage

• 1 large carrot, shredded

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves

• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Mix the buttermilk, mayonnaise, mustard, sugar and apple cider vinegar together until smooth and well blended. Set aside. Place the cabbage and carrot in a bowl. Pour the buttermilk mixture over the vegetables. Add the basil and thyme. Toss the ingredients until the vegetables are thoroughly coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let rest for at least one hour before servinve.

Makes 4 servings

Summer Salad with Blueberries

Whether it’s the hot weather or a meatless Monday, a good salad always comes in handy. This is one of my summer favorites:

BLUE SALAD (WITH GREEN)

1 head leaf lettuce or 6 cups mixed greens
1 cup blueberries
1 cup crumbled blue cheese
3 tablespoons chopped chives or scallion tops
1/3 cup olive oil (or use avocado oil)
3-4 tablespoons Balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup chopped toasted almonds, optional
Tear the lettuce into smaller pieces and place them in a salad bowl. Add the blueberries, cheese and chives and toss the ingredients. Pour in the olive oil and toss the ingredients again. Add 3 tablespoons of the Balsamic vinegar, toss and taste, add more Balsamic vinegar to taste. Serve and garnish with the toasted almonds if desired.

Makes 4-6 servings

Smoked Salmon Tartare

Are you watching the presidential debate tonight? It might be a circus. It might be frustrating. It might be maddening. But noshing on a few goodies (and maybe a drink) will help your mood! Try these:

SMOKED SALMON “TARTARE”

1/4 pound smoked salmon pieces
2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
1-2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
a few drops of olive oil
few drops of lemon juice
Crackers

Chop the smoked salmon. Add the red onion and dill and mix thoroughly. Sprinkle in a few drops of olive oil and lemon juice and mix. For a dairy hors d’oeuvre, spread the crackers with cream cheese, sour cream, crème fraiche or mascarpone cheese. Top with some of the salmon mixture. (Or place a small spoonful of sour cream, etc. on top of the salmon). For a parve hors d’oeuvre, place the salmon mixture directly on the crackers

Makes 16-24

Grilled Pineapple Strips

Grilled Pineapple Strips

What goes with chicken? This for sure: grilled pineapple. Try a side dish that’s a bit different:

GRILLED PINEAPPLE STRIPS

One whole pineapple
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons coconut oil or avocado oil
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
sea salt or kosher salt

Cut the leaves off the pineapple. Remove the outer fibrous rind. Cut the pineapple into strips and place them in a plastic bag or bowl. Heat the brown sugar, coconut oil, orange juice and orange zest in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Pour into the bag over the pineapple. Let rest for at least 45 minutes. Preheat an outdoor grill to medium (or use a grill pan or the oven broiler). Grill the strips for about 4 minutes per side or until well glazed and tender, brushing occasionally with some of the liquid. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt.

Makes 6 servings

Puff Pastry Mini Pizzas

It’s “Summertime, and the livin’ is easy.” So the song goes. And so can any entertaining you do. These puff pastry pizzas are an excellent example. I prepped them in less than 10 minutes, then set them aside and baked them just before my company came over. I usually make larger squares but wanted little bites, so I cut the puff pastry into hors d’oeuvres size and used sliced cherry tomatoes instead of regular ones. Here’s the basic recipe (cut smaller if desired):

FRESH TOMATO PUFF PASTRY PIZZA

3 large or 4 medium tomatoes, sliced about 1/4-inch thick (use cherry tomatoes for hors d size); salt
1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons finely chopped basil
1 tablespoon olive oil

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice the tomatoes and sprinkle with salt. Let rest 5 minutes and wipe the surface. Roll the puff pastry slightly thinner on a floured surface. Cut lengthwise once and widthwise twice to make 8 smaller pieces (OR leave in one piece for a whole tart OR make smaller hors d’oeuvres size pieces). Place the pieces on the baking sheet. Sprinkle each with some mozzarella cheese. Top with tomato slices. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and the Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle with basil. Drizzle with olive oil. Refrigerate for about 20 minutes. Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Makes 8 servings

Lemonade Cupcakes

I don’t know if lemonade is the official July 4th beverage, but it should be. Here’s my recipe for a homemade version that starts with syrup - you can store it and use it for drinks and also these wonderful cupcakes and frosting!

LEMONADE SYRUP
1-1/2 cups water
1-1/2 cups sugar
1-1/2 cups lemon juice (6-7 lemons)
1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest

Place the water and sugar in a saucepan and boil for 3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the lemon juice and zest. Refrigerate at least one hour. Strain. Makes about 3 cups (to make lemonade, mix some cold water or seltzer with some syrup, add ice cubes).

LEMONADE CUPCAKES
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1/3 cup plain yogurt
1/3 cup lemonade syrup
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons lemonade syrup

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Grease 10 muffin cups. Beat the butter at medium speed until well blended. Add the eggs one at a time beating after each addition. Beat in the yogurt and 1/3 cup lemonade syrup. The mixture will look curdled. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt and mix together. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Beat to blend ingredients thoroughly to a smooth batter. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tin. Bake 18-20 minutes or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven. Brush the remaining 3 tablespoons lemonade syrup over the cupcakes. Let cool. Frost and serve. Makes 10

LEMONADE FROSTING

1/2 cup butter
3-4 tablespoons lemonade syrup
1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
2 cups confectioners’ sugar

Beat the butter, 3 tablespoons lemonade syrup and the zest at medium speed until well mixed. Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar and beat until smooth and well blended. Add more lemonade syrup if needed for spreading consistency.

Nicoise Salad

I usually make Niçoise salad with canned tuna but it’s warm out and my grill is ready and there was this gorgeous hunk of fresh tuna at the market. So, Niçoise salad. It’s such a flexible recipe. Mine has fresh beans (sometimes I use canned cannellini or garbanzo beans), hard cooked eggs, tomatoes and potatoes over greens (plus the tuna of course). Before adding the greens, beans, potatoes and tomatoes to the platter I mixed them with some of this dressing: 2/3 cup olive oil mixed with 1/4 cup red wine vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard and a tablespoon of chopped basil (use just enough to moisten each. You may have some left over depending on how much of each salad ingredient you make). I sprinkled some of the dressing on top of the fish. Before serving I added some olives. What a terrific warm weather dinner! Btw, if you’re not a fish eater, you can make this same salad using tofu.

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