crispy salmon cakes

When I'm looking to eat healthy but still want something full of flavor, I always resort to homemade salmon cakes and some form of greens.  It's just an easy way to incorporate fresh ingredients into my diet while not skipping out on taste.  Through trial and error, lots of error, I finally came up with a salmon cake recipe that I enjoy making time and again.  This recipe is one that you can alter depending on personal preference, but the result is always crisp, crunchy, with a guaranteed juicy center. --

Salmon Cakes makes about 8-10

2 medium salmon filets, 2 1/2 pounds 1/2 red bell pepper, finely chopped 1/2 white onion, finely chopped 1/2 red onion, finely chopped 1 clove garlic, minced 1 tbsp of hot paprika 1 egg 2 cup bread crumbs or panko Salt and pepper 4 sprigs of flat leaf parsley, finely minced 1/3 cup olive oil

In a medium skillet, heat 1 tbsp of olive oil on medium-low. Add garlic, red and white onion, bell peppers, and 1/2 tbsp of salt and 1/4 tsp of pepper, cook until softened, about 4-5 minutes. Add flat leaf parsley, then turn off heat. Transfer mixture into a medium-large bowl. Set aside to completely cool by leaving 10 minutes at room temperature, then transfer to refrigerator for 15-20 minutes.

While vegetable mixture is cooling, prepare raw salmon.  While keeping the skin in tact, cut the meat of the fish horizontally, then vertically.  Then slowly cut skin from meat.  Fish should look like small pea-sized cubes.

Once vegetables have fully cooled, add raw salmon, eggs, paprika, 1 cup of bread crumbs/ panko.  Make sure everything is well combined.  Makes cakes by shaping a handful of salmon mixture into 3/4 to 1- inch thick cakes.

Pour another 2 cups of bread crumbs/ panko into a shallow dish.  In a medium skillet, heat oil on medium-low.  First place salmon patties in bread crumbs/panko, coating both sides, then place into skillet.  Cook 1-2 minutes per side or until golden brown.  Immediately remove from heat and onto a paper towel to drain.  Serve with a side of greens, as a burger, or on its own.