Crab cakes get all the glory, but many kinds of fish make terrific multi-ingredient patties. Fishcakes are part of the great thrifty tradition of stretching a small amount of an expensive ingredient. This one starts with cod, a versatile white fish. Be careful choosing cod: Pacific-caught is plentiful, but the overfishing of cod hailing from the Atlantic is causing destruction of ocean habitat. No Pacific cod at your market? Pacific sole, U.S.-farmed tilapia, and, yes, crab would all work well.–Joy Manning and Tara Mataraza Desmond
Corn and Cod Cakes
Ingredients
Email Grocery List- For the cod cakes
- For the vinaigrette
Directions
Make the cod cakes
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Oil a rimmed baking sheet.
Brush the cod with the 1 tablespoon canola oil, season with salt and pepper, and place on the prepared sheet. Toss the corn with the 1 teaspoon oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Spread on a second rimmed sheet. Bake both for 8 minutes, or until the cod flakes easily. Set aside to cool.
Put the potato in cold salted water, bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 10 minutes, or until fork-tender. Mash the potato and butter coarsely with a handheld masher.
Cook the bacon over medium heat for about 5 minutes, until the bacon is crisp and the fat has rendered. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel and set aside. Saute the bell pepper and onion in the fat for 5 to 8 minutes, until softened. Add the corn and saute for an additional 1 to 2 minutes (the corn tends to pop, so be careful). Allow to cool.
Beat the egg in a large bowl. Add the cod, potatoes, bacon, onion–corn–bell pepper mixture, bread crumbs, parsley, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well. Use a 1/4 cup dry measuring cup to form the mixture into 1/2-inch-thick cakes. Refrigerate for at least one hour or up to one day.
Make the vinaigrette
Whisk the lemon juice, olive oil, mayonnaise, capers, salt, and pepper together until emulsified. Taste for seasoning and adjust as needed. Set aside.
Cook the cod cakes
Heat 1/4 inch of canola oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking. Fry the cakes in batches, for about 3 minutes per side. Serve the cod cakes with or over baby greens with vinaigrette drizzled on top.
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Corn and Cod Cakes Recipe © 2009 Joy Manning and Tara Mataraza Desmond. Photo © 2009 Leo Gong. All rights reserved. All materials used with permission.
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