Crispy pan-fried catfish cakes made with hand-shredded catfish and cod, ginger, chipotle, and panko. Includes a tartar sauce and a spicy Thai-style dipping sauce.
Preheat oven to 200°F. Combine all ingredients for the fish cakes in large bowl and mash together with fork or hands until well blended
2 lbs. skinless fish filets , 2 large eggs, 3 Tbsp scallions, 3 Tbsp Italian parsley leaves, 2 tsp sea salt, 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, 1 Tbsp grated fresh ginger, 1/4 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp chipotle powder, squeeze of fresh lime juice, 1/4 tsp fish sauce, 3/4 cup Panko crumbs
Using your hands, form small balls of the fish mixture into patties about 1/2 to 1 inch thick and about 2-3 inches in diameter (about 1/3 cup each). Set on a plate and chill for at least an hour.
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.
2 Tbsp Refined olive oil
Cook patties until browned and crispy on one side (about 3-5 minutes) until browned and the centers reach 160°F. 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.
Dipping Sauces
Combine dipping sauce ingredients for the sauce you are making (spicy sauce or tartar sauce) in bowl and stir until thoroughly blended. For the tartar sauce combine mayonnaise, capers, lemon juice, pickles, scallions and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.