These delicious fish cakes are a favorite on Thai restaurant menus, but surprisingly easy to make at home.
Thai fish cakes get their wonderful flavor from red curry paste, which can be found in most supermarkets, and kaffir lime leaves.
About Kaffir lime leaves:
If you can’t get kaffir lime leaves, you can substitute about 1-1/2 tablespoons of fresh lime zest for the 5 leaves. While this is a great substitute, the aromatic flavor of kaffir lime leaves just can’t be duplicated.
If you enjoy Thai food, consider ordering kaffir lime leaves (they freeze very well) or kaffir lime powder through the mail. We buy both from ImportFood.com and have always been pleased with their quality and service.
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Thai Fish Cakes with Cucumber Dipping Sauce
These delicious fish cakes are a favorite on Thai restaurant menus, but surprisingly easy to make at home.
Ingredients
- 3/4 lb mild white fish fillets, tilapia, catfish, snapper, etc.
- 1 tablespoon red curry paste
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 4 teaspoons fish sauce
- 4 teaspoons sugar
- 1/2 cup fresh green beans, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 4 to 5 kaffir lime leaves, stemmed and chopped (or limes if not available, see above)
- Vegetable oil for shallow frying
For the dipping sauce:
- 1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch dice
- 1/4 cup rice or white vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 large shallot, finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, finely chopped
- Kosher salt
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Instructions
- Place the fish fillets in the freezer to chill while you make the dipping sauce.
- In a small saucepan, combine the vinegar, water and sugar and heat to boiling, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and set aside. Once the mixture has cooled to room temperature add the cucumber, shallot, garlic and ginger. Season to taste with salt, transfer to a serving bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Remove the fish fillets from the freezer and cut them into chunks. Place them in the work bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Add the curry paste, egg, cornstarch, fish sauce, sugar, green beans, cilantro, basil and kaffir lime leaves. Process until the mixture becomes a thick paste. It will be quite sticky.
- Lay a sheet of wax paper on the counter and using wet hands, form the mixture into balls about 1-1/2 inches in diameter. Spray the back of a spatula with nonstick cooking spray and use it to gently flatten each ball to a thickness of about 3/8-inch.
- Heat 1/4-inch of vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Carefully add 1/2 of the fish cakes to the hot oil and fry until golden brown and cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side.
- Drain on paper towels and serve with the Cucumber Dipping Sauce and, if desired, some Thai Sweet Chili Sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
Calories: 42kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 21mg, Sodium: 137mg, Sugar: 3g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!
This is my favorite Thai appetizer recipe – the flavor is outstanding !
Hi Barb,
Fish cakes (Tod Mun) are a Thai restaurant favorite of mine and I just had to learn to make them at home. As it turns out, they’re pretty easy to do. Glad you liked them!