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Fish and Corn Cakes With Tartar Sauce

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Alex Lau

This fish and corn cake recipe is a less expensive, equally delicious option for anyone who loves a crab cake. Could you put it on a bun? Why not?

Recipe information

  • Yield

    4 Servings

Ingredients

tartar sauce

½ cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons finely chopped cornichons or dill pickle
1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
½ teaspoon sugar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

fish cakes

1½ pound skinless firm white fish fillets (such as cod, haddock, or grouper)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 large egg
¼ cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
½ cup fresh (or frozen, thawed) corn kernels
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
2 cups panko (Japanese breadcrumbs), divided
¼ cup (or more) vegetable oil
Classic tartar sauce and lemon wedges (for serving)

Preparation

  1. tartar sauce

    Step 1

    Mix mayonnaise, cornichons, mustard, lemon juice, and sugar in a small bowl; season with salt and pepper.

    Step 2

    DO AHEAD: Tartar sauce can be made 2 days ahead; cover and chill.

  2. fish cakes

    Step 3

    Preheat oven to 400°. Place fish on a rimmed baking sheet and rub with oil; season generously with salt and pepper. Roast until fish flakes easily, 8–10 minutes; let cool. Using a fork, break fish into large pieces; set aside.

    Step 4

    Whisk egg, mayonnaise, and lemon zest in a large bowl. Add fish, corn, chives, and ½ cup panko; season with salt and pepper and mix gently to combine. Gently form ¼-cupfuls of mixture into ¾”-thick patties (you should have 12). Chill on a parchment-lined baking sheet until firm, 30–35 minutes.

    Step 5

    Place remaining 1½ cups panko in a shallow bowl; season with salt and pepper. Coat patties in seasoned panko, pressing gently to adhere. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, cook patties until golden brown, about 4 minutes per side. (If panko begins to burn between batches, wipe out skillet and start with new oil.) Transfer patties to a wire rack and season with salt.

    Step 6

    Serve with tartar sauce and lemon wedges for squeezing over.

    Step 7

    DO AHEAD: Patties can be formed (but not coated in panko or cooked) 12 hours ahead. Cover and chill.

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