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Tod Mun Pla Thai Fish Cakes

Bouncy, herb-fragrant Thai fish cakes pan-fried until golden, made with red curry paste and fresh kaffir lime leaves. Served with a tangy cucumber relish for an authentic street-food experience.

50 minMediumServes 4260 cal/serving

ThaiAppetizerStovetopPescatarianLow CarbDairy-FreeNut-FreePork-FreeNightshade-Free

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Ingredients

  • 1 lb white fish fillets (cod, tilapia, or catfish), roughly chopped
  • 2 tbsp Thai red curry paste
  • 2 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tsp granulated sugar
  • 5 fresh kaffir lime leaves (or 1 tsp lime zest), very finely sliced
  • 1/2 cup green beans or long beans, thinly sliced
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
  • 1/2 cup Thai cucumber relish (ajad) or sliced cucumber with vinegar
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro

Instructions

  1. 1

    Place 1 lb roughly chopped white fish fillets (cod, tilapia, or catfish) in a food processor with 2 tbsp Thai red curry paste, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 large egg, and 2 tsp granulated sugar. Pulse until a smooth, slightly sticky paste forms, scraping down the sides as needed.

  2. 2

    Transfer the paste to a bowl and fold in 5 very finely sliced fresh kaffir lime leaves (or 1 tsp lime zest) and 1/2 cup thinly sliced green beans or long beans by hand until evenly distributed.

  3. 3

    Wet your hands lightly and form the mixture into round patties about 2 inches wide and 1/2 inch thick. You should get about 12 patties for the standard batch.

  4. 4

    Heat 1/3 cup vegetable oil (for frying) in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Fry the patties in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side until deep golden brown and cooked through.

  5. 5

    Drain on paper towels and serve hot with 1/2 cup Thai cucumber relish (ajad) or sliced cucumber with vinegar and garnished with 1/4 cup fresh cilantro.

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Questions

Is there a substitute for curry paste in Tod Mun Pla Thai Fish Cakes?

The entry for Tod Mun Pla Thai Fish Cakes calls for 2 tbsp Thai red curry paste. In its place: Another color of Thai curry paste works, with a shift in heat and flavor. In a pinch, bloom curry powder in the oil with minced garlic, ginger and a little lime zest.

Can I use a different white fish instead of the fish in Tod Mun Pla Thai Fish Cakes?

Yes. Any firm white fish of similar thickness works: cod, haddock, pollock and halibut are interchangeable here. Timing follows thickness, not species. As written, the entry for Tod Mun Pla Thai Fish Cakes uses 1 lb white fish fillets (cod, tilapia, or catfish), roughly chopped.

Is Tod Mun Pla Thai Fish Cakes spicy?

Moderately. The heat in Tod Mun Pla Thai Fish Cakes comes from 2 tbsp Thai red curry paste. For a milder plate, start with half the curry paste and add more to taste at the end; nothing else in the method changes. For more, add it at the table rather than in the pot, so everyone sets their own level.

Is Tod Mun Pla Thai Fish Cakes low-carb?

A serving of Tod Mun Pla Thai Fish Cakes carries 10 g of carbohydrate, 1 g of it fiber. Against a strict 20 g keto day that is 50 percent of the budget; against a moderate 100 g low-carb day it is 10 percent.

Does Tod Mun Pla Thai Fish Cakes contain fish?

Yes: 1 lb white fish fillets (cod, tilapia, or catfish), roughly chopped and 2 tbsp fish sauce. The full allergen list for this entry is eggs and fish. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

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