New England Fish Cakes With Herbed Tartar Sauce Recipes

NEW ENGLAND FISH CAKES WITH HERBED TARTAR SAUCE

Steps:

• Stir together tartar sauce, 2 tablespoons green onions, 2 teaspoons thyme, and capers in small bowl.
• Place white bread in food processor; using on/off turns, process until very coarse crumbs form. Transfer breadcrumbs to large bowl. Using on/off turns, finely chop celery; add to bowl with breadcrumbs. Using on/off turns, coarsely puree fish; add to bowl. Add remaining 1/2 cup chopped green onions, 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme, egg, salt, and ground black pepper to bowl. Mix gently but thoroughly. Transfer fish mixture to work surface and shape into four 1/2-inch-thick cakes.
• Heat olive oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add fish cakes and cook until brown on bottom, about 5 minutes. Using large spatula, carefully turn fish cakes over and cook until second sides are brown and centers are opaque, about 5 minutes longer. Divide fish cakes among 4 plates and garnish with tartar sauce and lemon wedges.

ONLY IN ESSEX STEAMER CLAM CAKES WITH TRADITIONAL NEW ENGLAND TARTAR SAUCE

Steps:

• For the Clams: Over medium heat in a large pan, pour 3 tablespoons olive oil. Chop onion into large chunks and saute in oil until lightly cooked, about 5 minutes. Add the beer and the clams. Cover and cook until all of the clams are opened, about 10 to 15 minutes depending on how many you have in the pan.
• Remove pan from heat, uncover and allow to cool to the touch before shucking.
• Push the clams to the side so that there is broth visible to rinse the clams in after shucking. Remove clams from shell 1 at a time and pull off membrane that covers the neck and discard. Rinse shucked clams in broth and set aside. When all clams are shucked, drain the broth out of them by giving them a slight squeeze over the pan of broth. Chop roughly and set aside.
• For the tartar sauce: Mix all ingredients in a small bowl to serve with clam cakes. Refrigerate until serving.
• For the clam cakes: In a deep-fryer or on the stove top in a deep skillet, preheat oil to 375 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Fold in eggs, evaporated milk and clam broth until thoroughly mixed. Stir in clams and mix well.
• Dip a spoon into the heated oil, then take a 2 tablespoon sized scoop of the fritter mixture and carefully drop into oil. Turn the cake over when the first side is browned. Fritters should be cooked through and browned in 4 to 5 minutes. Remove with a skimmer and drain on brown paper bag. Reseason with additional salt, if desired. Serve with the tartar sauce and enjoy! If desired, serve on small plates with wedges of lemon.

NEW ENGLAND CODFISH CAKES

Steps:

• Season fillets well with salt and pepper. Place on the rack of a steamer over boiling water. Cover and steam for 5 minutes. Remove rack and fish and let fillets cool.
• Peel potatoes and cut them into 1 1/2-inch cubes. Cover with cold water in a saucepan. Add sliced onions, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
• Drain potatoes well and mash them coarsely.
• When fish is cool enough to handle, flake it with a fork.
• Place potatoes in a mixing bowl. Add egg, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and grated onion. Blend very well and add fish, folding it in lightly without overmixing. Put mixture in a baking dish and chill in refrigerator.
• When mixture is thoroughly cool, shape it into 12 hamburger-size patties. Put flour in a shallow dish and dredge fish cakes in it. Shake off excess flour.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large nonstick skillet. Fry patties for about 2 1/2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and serve immediately. Use remaining 2 tablespoons oil if necessary. Serve with tartar sauce (see recipe).