Salmon and Black Bean Patties

We're big fans of seafood here and while we typically consume our underwater friends in whole fillet form, I've lately begun experimenting with canned varieties primarily out of convenience and partially out of my desire to leave my oven OFF during 100+ degree days. Anything that can be achieved on the stove top is a blessing. My experimentation recently yielded these delicious, relatively low-fat salmon and black bean patties. They were a big hit among the little folks and tasted just as good when reheated the next day - another bonus for a large family and a hot summer - leftovers!

Salmon and Black Bean Patties

2 14oz. cans alaskan salmon, drained and picked over for bones

1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained

3 eggs

1 bunch cilantro, chopped fine

1 1/2 cup bread crumbs

1 1/4 cup mayo

1 tsp. pepper

1 Tbs. dijon mustard

Olive oil for frying

In a large bowl combine the salmon, black beans and bread crumbs, stirring well to mix through (sometimes I have to get my hands involved to make sure the salmon is well distributed with the bread crumbs). In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and mayo until combined; stir in cilantro, pepper, dijon mustard and mix well. Pour the egg mixture into the salmon mixture and combine thoroughly. Lightly oil a large non-stick frying pan with olive oil and heat over medium heat. Using a medium size scoop, shape the salmon mixture into patties and press lightly into the hot pan. Be sure not to get your frying pan too hot as you'll brown the outsides before you've had a chance to heat the patty through. You want them nice and golden brown and lightly firm. WARNING: this recipe makes A LOT! At least a good 30 patties depending on how big you make them and if you're not into leftovers like we are, you may want to cut the ingredients in half or only cook half of the salmon mixture and freeze the rest to be fried up at later date.

Aaaannnd We're Back!

I've been trying to simplify my life. De-clutter, reorganize, streamline, call it what you will, but the reality is...I take care of a few folks here on the home front and they eat up a lot of my time so the simpler the better. Trying to maintain a food blog and still find time to write an occasional post over on Random Thoughts from the Motherworld (a task at which I obviously failed) became all too much on my already full plate. I'm combining the two into one and hoping that keeping my focus on a single (!) writing outlet will allow a little more clarity of mind. The new format - cleaner, brighter and hopefully easier on my psyche. As always, you'll find new recipes here as well as all of the recipes from my past blog, La Dolce Vita. Now throw in an occasional post depicting happenings within my family/personal life and maybe even a few random thoughts on other topics. Somewhere amongst the four kiddo's, the full-time business, the home school curriculum, the grocery shopping and the laundry (!) I will do my best to post on a regular (somewhat) basis. Right now, I'm just thrilled to have accomplished the blog makeover...cause photoshop is hard. For me anyway. Taking on the task of creating a custom header in my nonexistent spare time became a daunting endeavor, but in the process I kinda, sorta mastered designing in photoshop and feel a tad bit powerful about it. At any rate, I muddled through and am ready to once again begin dropping morsels in written form...just don't get too excited.