Salmon Patties

This recipe is inspired by the Protectoral dimension of wellness.

Protectoral wellness is about safeguarding. It's about paying close attention to your surroundings and potential hazards. These surroundings can include your home, work, school, and within your community. Likewise, protectoral wellness includes protecting your temple or, in other words, your body! If you pay attention to the foods you eat, you can reverse your age and prevent potential illnesses.

It’s especially important to eat foods that boost your immune system, and eating salmon is a great way to do just that! When eating salmon, you are safeguarding your heart as well as benefiting from its many advantages.

"To ensure good health: eat lightly, breathe deeply, live moderately, cultivate cheerfulness, and maintain an interest in life." - William London

As a teenager, I wasn’t very health conscious. It wasn't until after my son was born that I needed to take off some extra pounds (80 to be exact!) That is when I started to take an interest in eating better. I scoured books on food and nutrition and realized that eating healthy foods was not only about losing weight but also about healing your body from within and protecting yourself from potential illnesses. Thus, I learned the importance of having a better relationship with food.

"Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live." - Jim Rohn

Did you know that Salmon has been known to improve bone density, reduce depression, and promote a healthy nervous system? But wait; there’s more! The polyunsaturated fatty acids found in salmon can also help improve your cholesterol! So eat up, protect yourself, and enjoy these delicious Salmon Patties!

INGREDIENTS

For the Salmon Patties:

• 1 lb fresh salmon filet

• Garlic salt

• Black pepper

• Olive oil

• 1 medium onion (1 cup finely diced)

• 1/2 red bell pepper, diced

• 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided

• 1 cup Panko bread crumbs, *optional ingredients for gluten free crumbs listed below

• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten

• 3 Tbsp mayo

• 1 tsp Worcestershire

• 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley

For the Tartar Sauce:

• 1 cup real mayonnaise

• 1 cup finely chopped dill pickles

• 1 Tbsp dill (fresh or frozen), OR 1 Tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley

• 1 tsp lemon juice

• 1 tsp sugar

• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

• Optional: 2 Tbsp finely chopped onion

For the Optional Gluten Free Crumbs:

• 1 ¼ cup almond flour

• 1 egg

• 1/4 Parmesan cheese

• 2 Tbsp of nutritional yeast

INSTRUCTIONS

For the Salmon Patties:

1. Preheat oven to 425˚F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment. Place salmon skin-side down, brush with olive oil and season with garlic salt and black pepper.

2. Bake uncovered for 10-15 min or just until cooked through (my thinner cut wild salmon was closer to 10 minutes). Remove from oven, cover with foil and rest ten minutes. Discard skin, flake salmon with forks, remove any bones, and cool to room temperature while prepping remaining ingredients.

3. Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add 1 Tbsp olive oil, 1 Tbsp butter and finely diced onion and bell pepper. Sauté until softened and golden (7-9 minutes) then remove from heat.

4. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled flaked salmon, sautéed onion and pepper, 1 cup bread crumbs, 2 beaten eggs, 3 Tbsp mayo, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp garlic salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 cup fresh parsley. Stir to combine and form into 13-14 patties. I find it’s easiest to portion the patties using a flat ice cream scooper and then pressing them into 1/3 - 1/2″ thick patties.

5. Heat 1 Tbsp oil and 1 Tbsp butter in a large pan over medium heat. Once butter is done sizzling, add half of the salmon cakes and sauté 3 1/2 to 4 minutes per side or until golden brown and cooked through.

6. If salmon cakes brown too quickly, reduce heat. Remove to a paper-towel lined plate. Add remaining 1 Tbsp oil and 1 Tbsp butter and repeat cooking remaining salmon cakes.

For the Optional Gluten-Free Crumbs

1. Mix ingredients and place mixture on a lined baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Flatten dough with a spatula into a square shape and bake at 400˚F until very crispy (about 15 minutes).

3. Let cool and pulse in food processor to make crumbs. This makes just enough for the Salmon Patties recipe!