Asian Pan-Fried Salmon Patties with Creamy Ginger Lime Sauce and sleep deprivation

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Bleary-eyed, exhausted and desperate for decent TV, as I sat feeding and rocking my new baby boy in the wee hours of the morning, I clearly understood why sleep deprivation was such an effective form of torture in the Japanese prisoner camps during the 2nd world war.

Settling on a cooking show, I watched as some bright-eyed and cheery cooks made this delicious and easy salmon patties recipe with canned salmon and I longed to be as awake and chipper as they were.

I also wondered how long it would be until I slept through the night again.

And although I have never been the biggest fan of canned salmon and I was exhausted beyond words, this recipe for salmon patties using canned salmon,  looked so good that I actually got up, nursing baby in tow, to search for a pen and paper to write down the recipe. True story. It wasn’t as simple as searching it up on google back then.

I don’t think there is a new parent out there that doesn’t wonder what they have gotten themselves into. Many thoughts skipped across my addled mind in those lonely dark hours, including how much I had taken sleep for granted and if I ever got my sleep back, I would never do that again.

Hope is all you need

Unfortunately, after 2 children that were only 22 months apart, it would be quite a while before I slept through the night and many more years before that was the normal. I am just grateful for the hope that carried me through each day – the hope that tonight just might be the night that I slept.

It is that hope that sustains us; that hope that fuels us parents.

I recall dragging myself into work day after day during those early years and savoring the encouraging words of other sympathetic parents beyond the stage I was at. “There is a light at the end of the tunnel,” they said, “keep going towards the light….” I clung to that belief. Because really, what other choice did I have?

But there is a light at the end of the tunnel

I am happy to report that a few years back I finally reached the end of the tunnel. And now, aside from the many nights I’m cursed with middle-aged insomnia, I sleep. And I never take it for granted. And although many days I look back at the baby/toddler days with tearful nostalgia, I never forget how tired and shitty I felt most of the time.

.…And now I pay it forward. I have become that fellow parent at work that gives false hope to other new parents. Because, I know that is what will carry them through their darkest days in that tunnel.

So, for all the sleep-deprived and/or busy parents out there hoping that tonight is the night, knowing that a quick, economical, easy and healthy dinner is a godsend, this salmon recipe is for you! This is the best canned salmon recipe I know of (even if you’re not a fan of canned salmon) and it’s a great cheap meal option.

Most importantly, I wish you sleep~!

TERRI’S AMAZON PICKS:

5 from 2 votes

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Asian Pan Fried Salmon Patties with Creamy Ginger Lime sauce

Healthy and easy, these Asian Pan-fried Salmon Patties made with canned salmon,  are a quick and economical dinner idea! 4 Weight Watchers Smart Points per serving.

Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine Asian

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Servings 8 patties

Calories 146 kcal

Author Inspired by: Ellie, Krieger, Salmon Cakes with Creamy ginger sesame sauce,

Ingredients

• 1 cup fine bread crumbs
• 2 cans salmon 15-ounce, drained, skin and bones removed
• 2 eggs lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup green onions chopped
• 1 can sliced water chestnuts 220 ml, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• 3 tsp olive oil divided
• 2 tsp minced ginger
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• Creamy Ginger Lime Sauce:
• 1/2 cup non-fat yogurt
• 2 tbsp low-fat mayonnaise
• 1 1/2 tbsp freshly grated ginger
• 2 tsp sesame seeds
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 2 tsp freshly squeezed lime juice

Garnish

• additional sesame seeds
• lime wedges

Instructions

1. Add the egg, bread crumbs, water chestnuts, cilantro, green onions , ginger, garlic and drained salmon and mix well. Shape the mixture into 12 patties.

2. In a large non-stick skillet, heat 1 1/2 teaspoons of olive oil over a medium heat. Add 6 patties and cook for 5 minutes on each side. Transfer the cooked patties to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm. Add the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil to the pan, and cook the rest of the salmon cakes, 5 minutes on each side.

3. Serve salmon cakes with the sauce and limes for garnish

4. Place yogurt into a small bowl. Add mayonnaise, ginger, garlic, lime juice, sesame seeds, and soy sauce. Whisk until smooth.

5. Garnish with additional sesame seeds and lime wedges, if desired.

Recipe Notes

Note: Adapted from: I was never able to find the actual recipe I copied down and transferred to my computer files (due to hard drive crashes over the years), but it was similar to this one: Salmon Cakes with Creamy Ginger Sesame Sauce and I have changed this somewhat based on my memory

 

Nutrition Facts

Asian Pan Fried Salmon Patties with Creamy Ginger Lime sauce

Amount Per Serving

Calories 146 Calories from Fat 36

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 4g 6%

Cholesterol 41mg 14%

Sodium 255mg 11%

Potassium 76mg 2%

Total Carbohydrates 26g 9%

Dietary Fiber 3g 12%

Sugars 2g

Protein 5g 10%

Vitamin A 3.1%

Vitamin C 9.6%

Calcium 4.6%

Iron 13.5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.