Name: Pilchard fishcakes recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: Serves: 4
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 450g potatoes, peeled and halved; 400g can pilchards in tomato sauce; Zest and juice of one lemon; Half a bunch parsley, chopped; 1 bunch chives, finely chopped; 1 small onion, finely chopped; 1 egg, beaten; 60g panko breadcrumbs; oil, for frying

By Jess Findlay

published 20 September 2022

in Recipes

Pilchard fishcakes are quick and simple to prepare, using a very lovely but under appreciated type of fish.

They make the perfect light lunch - brilliant on summer weekends if you have guests over. Alternatively, they're a good starter - either as a single fishcake, or serve in miniature more like a canapé. Pilchards are great oily fish, packed with omega=3 fatty acids which are essential for brain health and happiness. You can buy them fresh or canned and they're so versatile. Eat them in salads or toss them into tomato pasta sauces. Or just crush them onto toast for a light lunch. Fishcakes are usually made from tuna, salmon or cod, but these make a lovely change.

Ingredients

450g potatoes, peeled and halved
400g can pilchards in tomato sauce
Zest and juice of one lemon
Half a bunch parsley, chopped
1 bunch chives, finely chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 egg, beaten
60g panko breadcrumbs
oil, for frying

For the dipping sauce:

45g crème fraiche
45g mayo
3 tbsp tomato sauce from the pilchard can
Juice of half a lemon, plus extra lemon wedges, to serve

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Method

Steam the potatoes for 20 mins or until cooked through, then when still warm, roughly mash the cooked potatoes with a fork in a large bowl.
Drain the tinned pilchards, reserving 3tbsp of the tomato sauce for the dipping sauce, then mix the fish into the potato with lemon zest and juice, herbs, and onion and stir until well combined. Form the mixture into either large fishcakes or small croquettes. Dip in beaten egg then in breadcrumbs to coat.
Heat oil in a frying pan and fry the fishcakes for 3-4 mins on either side, until golden.
To make the dipping sauce, combine crème fraiche, mayo and sauce from the pilchard can. Serve with the fishcakes while they’re hot, with lemon wedges on the side.