Salmon Cakes

My 6 year old was home today with a nasty stomach bug and fever. I spent the day taking care of him. He needed lots of snuggling. Poor baby. For dinner, I was able to whip up something quick (and comforting) for the rest of us. These Salmon Cakes didn’t take too much time to throw together and they were really delicious. The capers and Dijon mustard added so much flavor.

I served the Salmon Cakes with arugula dressed with a homemade grapefruit vinaigrette (shallots, fresh grapefruit juice, white wine vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, and olive oil) and Bird’s Eye Steamfresh Italian Style Protein Blend that I zapped in the microwave. The blend of whole grains, lentils, broccoli, white beans, and spinach (and some kind of sauce) was kind of bland, but wasn’t terrible (it tasted better mixed with the dressed arugula). Generally, I’m not a big fan of Bird’s Eye’s seasoned or sauced products. Their Voila! Skillet Meals are downright disgusting! I don’t know whose taste palette they are targeting, but it isn’t mine. Anywho, I was able to bundle a coupon and Ibotta rebate with a sale and got a package of the Protein Blend for free. I like free.

I had the afterthought of adding some dill to the salmon mixture. I love the flavors of salmon and dill together. I will definitely try it next time I make these Salmon Cakes.

Salmon Cakes

1 15 – 16 ounce can salmon, drained
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 small onion, finely diced
1 stalk celery, finely diced
1 tablespoon capers, drained
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 egg, lightly beaten
salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 to 1 cup bread crumbs
2 tablespoons olive oil

Break up the salmon in a mixing bowl. You can remove the skin and the bigger bones if you want to. Set aside.

Melt the butter in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion and celery until tender. Add the veggies to the salmon.

Add the capers, Dijon mustard, lightly beaten egg, salt, and pepper to the salmon and veggie mixture and combine well. Mix in the breadcrumbs, a little at a time, until the mixture is at a consistency where it is not too wet and it can be shaped into cakes easily. You may not use the full cup of breadcrumbs. Divide the mixture into 12 equal parts and shape each part into a cake with you hands.

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a non-stick skillet (you can use the same one you sautéed the onions and celery in) over medium heat. Add six of the salmon cakes and cook until browned on one side. Carefully flip the salmon cakes over and brown on the other side. Remove from the skillet and keep warm in a 250° oven (or toaster oven) while you cook the next batch. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in the skillet and cook the remaining salmon cakes (as you did before). Serve warm.