If there’s a food quintessential to Taupo, it’s got to be trout.
After a successful session of fishing, my dad likes to smoke them – it’s a flavour I always remember growing up.
These fish cakes are a delicious way of using smoked fish; they’ve got a beautiful texture and are dusted in polenta which makes a lighter, crispier coating as opposed to breadcrumbs.
I’ve served them with a homemade mustard seed aioli; which has a sweet and nutty flavour. If you’ve never made aioli before, don’t be intimated – it’s very easy as long as you remember to add the oil slowly while blending. This is what makes it thicken, so don’t be tempted to pour it in all at once!
This recipe was first published in the Taupo Herald January 2023. I contribute recipes on a regular basis to this local publication, which will also be shared here on my website. Keep an eye out on each week’s publication for my newest recipes!
Smoked Trout & Potato Cakes with Mustard Seed Aioli
6
cakes45
minutes30
minutesWith a crunchy exterior and moist interior, these flavourful cakes are a delicious way to use smoked fish. The mustard seed aioli is fragrant, and complements the smokiness of the fish.
Ingredients
- Trout Cakes
1 thick slice stale wholegrain bread, toasted until crisp
2 medium potatoes (350g), each quartered
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, diced
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
125g smoked trout (or other smoked fish), flaked into small pieces
1 egg
1 tsp finely grated lemon zest
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup coarse polenta, for dusting
- Mustard Seed Aioli
1 tsp yellow mustard seeds
2 egg yolks
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 tsp dijon mustard
1/2 tsp maple syrup
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
Directions
- Roughly break up the bread and put in a food processor. Process until crumbs – you want them to be reasonably fine. Transfer to a large bowl and set aside.
- Put potatoes in a medium saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, until tender. Remove from heat and drain. Allow to cool before peeling and discarding the skins. Transfer potatoes to a food processor and set aside.
- Meanwhile, heat the oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant and golden brown. Add to the food processor with the potatoes (don’t wipe out the pan – you will use it later) and blend until smooth.
- Add to the bowl with the breadcrumbs, and add trout, egg, lemon zest and salt. Mix to fully combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Return the same frying pan you used before to a medium-high heat. Add mustard seeds and when they begin to pop, reduce heat to medium-low and cover with a lid. Cook for 1-2 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally, until fragrant but not burnt. Transfer to a small bowl.
- Using a stick blender, blend egg yolks, lemon juice, garlic, mustard and maple syrup to combine. While blending, add oil only a few drops at a time to emulsify, then increase to a thin stream. It should take 2-3 minutes to add all of the oil – this will ensure it thickens. Add cooked mustard seeds and salt, and stir to distribute. Set aside in the fridge.
- Tip polenta into a shallow bowl. Using oiled hands, form 6 patties from the trout mixture and dust in the polenta to coat. Repeat with remaining patties.
- Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook patties for 4-5 minutes on each side, until nicely browned and crisp. You may need to cook in 2 batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Serve hot, with generous dollops of aioli. Enjoy!