Dani's Cod 'n Cauli Cakes

A few weeks ago I startled nearby shoppers as I blurted out SCORE! I could barely contain my excitement as I clung to the newly-discovered bag of salt cod which I proudly displayed to Ozzy when he came to see what the fuss was all about. Great minds think alike, and when asked "where's it from" I was prepared with "Digby, Nova Scotia" (not too far from where Ozzy was born). The Atlantic coast fisheries are renowned for their cod and halibut.

It's been a little over 30 years since I've made cod cakes and was looking forward to making them for my blue-noser hubby. I got the original recipe from an old boyfriend's mum (Marion) who haled from Cox's Cove, Newfoundland. I was just hoping I'd get it right after all these years. I've tried making them with other fish (including fresh salmon), but they've always fallen short.

Well I finally got up the courage to make them last night. A bit of a dilemma though as one of the ingredients calls for mashed potatoes. I ran it through my handy-dandy calculator at myfitnesspal.com and it spit out more carbs than I was willing to justify, even over the holidays. What to do?


The Irish in me has enjoyed a lifelong love affair with the potato. With its taste and versatility, it was a match made in heaven. Until I started counting carbs. *sigh* Nothing could replace my potato.

Or could it?

Over the past several months I've come across countless recipes that replaced potatoes with cauliflower, including using mashed cauli in shepherd's pie (which I have yet to try), cauli rice, cauli pizza crust, and more. So I thought "why the hell not?" and went for it. Hence was born my Cod 'n Cauli Cakes. I'm sure someone else has already come up with the idea and posted a recipe somewhere, but for now I'm claiming this as my own.

Basically, I just substituted the mashed potato with mashed cauli and went from 13 carbs per serving down to a manageable 5. Ketorific!

So last night it was His and Hers Cod Cakes... potato for Ozzy and cauli for me. It was such a success that Ozzy suggested we make this our new traditional Christmas Eve dinner.

The pic at the top is with the cauliflower, the one below is with potato.


Dani's Cod 'n Cauli Cakes

INGREDIENTS


Per serving (without the bacon grease):
Calories 106 | Total Carbs 3g (5g carbs - 2g Fiber) | Fat 2g | Protein 19g


DIRECTIONS
Prep Work
Soak fish in cold water 6-8 hrs: I took the salt cod out of the freezer first thing in the morning and soaked it in cold water in my casserole dish (which has a lid). A bowl covered in plastic wrap works too. Six hours seemed sufficient but I wouldn't recommend any less time than that.

Before you add the cauliflower rice to the mixture, squeeze out any excess moisture or your cakes will fall to pieces. Lesson learned.
aking the Cakes
1. Combine all ingredients, then mash or knead with your hands.
2. Form the mixture into cakes or patties, approximately 2 tablespoons per cake.
3. Fry in oil on skillet or frying pan at medium heat until golden brown (or if you're like me, dark brown).

Serves 4-6 - or 2 very hungry people.

Note: Next time I make these I'm going to use minced garlic cloves instead of the garlic powder.