Lauren's SHRIMP CAKES

Here is my daughter Lauren's terrific recipe for shrimp cakes:

Ingredients:

2 slices bacon, chopped 2 lb. shrimp
2 slices sandwich bread
1/4 c. milk
1 c. chopped scallions
2 T. chopped fresh cilantro ( optional)
1 5 oz. can water chestnuts
4 t. cornstarch
1/2t. salt
1/2 t. black pepper
2 c. panko, more as needed
Dipping sauce:

 3/4 cup mayonnaise
 1 1/2 t. soy sauce
 1/2 t. finely grated lemon zest
 1 t. lemon juice

Stir together dipping sauce ingredients in a small bowl and chill. Pulse bacon in processor until finely chopped. Pat shrimp dry, then add to bacon and pulse until shrimp is coarsely chopped (make sure not to puree). 

Soak bread in milk until very soft. Squeeze out excess mil and add wet bread to processor and pulse until just combined. 

Transfer shrimp mixture to large bowl and stir in scallions, cilantro, cornstarch, salt, sugar, pepper until well combined. Spread crumbs in a pie plate. 

Using a tablespoon measure or small ice cream scoop drop a mound of shrimp mixture on crumbs. Coat well, and saute.

Lauren and Betty

A Fresh Take on Fried Rice (A Quick Meal Suggestion)

I’m often asked if I cook at home every night… NO! We enjoy eating out at restaurants and at the homes of friends. When I have a really busy day or am just out of ideas, my go to meal is Chinese takeout!

Invariably, I have leftover rice and being of the “waste not, want not” school - I use that to make fried rice. You can pretty much use any leftover protein to go into it along with some onions, peas, eggs and scallions.

Here is my favorite combination:

Ingredients:

2 cups of cold leftover rice
2 eggs, beaten
½ an onion, roughly chopped
½ cup frozen peas, defrosted
½ cup chopped ham
1 cup chopped raw shrimp
2 or 3 scallions, roughly chopped
2 or 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 or 2 tablespoons soy sauce


1-Lightly oil a large skillet and pour in the beaten eggs. Swirl to make a thin “pancake”. Cook for a minute or two just until eggs are set. Turn out onto a cutting board and cut into shreds.

2-Add about a tablespoon of oil to the skillet, add the onions and cook for a few minutes until they start to soften. Push to one side and add the shrimp. Cook just until they turn pink. Remove the shrimp to a clean bowl and reserve.

3-Add the remaining oil to the skillet and add the rice. Stir to mix well with the onions.

4-Add the remaining ingredients and toss well until heated through.

5-Add soy sauce and toss to combine.

6-Serve and enjoy!

 
Watch the video demonstration: