Watercress Cajun Shrimp Cakes with Pineapple Tartare Sauce
Looking for a holiday recipe that’s both nutritious and bursting with flavour? These Watercress Cajun Shrimp Cakes with Pineapple Tartare Sauce are the delicious blend of festive flair and wholesome goodness! 🌱🦐✨
The vibrant, peppery watercress from B&W Quality Growers, the world’s largest grower of watercress, is a powerhouse of vitamins, antioxidants, and an unmistakable crunch that stays even after cooking.
These tender shrimp cakes, seasoned with Cajun spices, are elevated by the bold, refreshing watercress, which adds a delightful crispness to every bite. Paired with the sweet and tangy pineapple tartare sauce, this dish is crispy, juicy, savoury, and zesty all at once. A crowd-pleaser that’s indulgent yet packed with nutritious greens for your holiday dinners or potluck parties!
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
- Prepare the watercress: Wash the watercress thoroughly and pat it dry with kitchen paper. Chop it into small pieces and set it aside in a large bowl.
- Prepare the shrimp: Clean the shrimp by removing the heads, shells, and veins. Pat the shrimp dry with kitchen paper to ensure no excess moisture remains.
- Process the shrimp:
- Place the shrimp on a cutting board and flatten each one with the side of a knife.Using the back of the knife, finely mince the shrimp into a paste. Using the knife’s back helps retain the shrimp’s fibers for better texture and elasticity.Make the shrimp paste:
- Transfer the minced shrimp to a large bowl. Add salt, ground pepper, cornstarch, Cajun seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and cooking white wine.
- Mix everything evenly by hand, then start slapping the shrimp paste in one direction. This slapping motion ensures the proteins in the shrimp bind together, creating a smooth and elastic texture. Continue for about 5-8 minutes until the paste is glossy and cohesive.
- Form the watercress shrimp patties:
- Add the shrimp paste to the bowl with chopped watercress. Mix until evenly combined.
- Use a spoon or scoop to portion the mixture into equal-sized portions.
- Pan-fry the patties:
- Heat a small amount of oil in a frying pan over medium-low heat.
- Scoop the patties into the pan and fry until one side is set (about 2-3 minutes).
- Flip the patties and flatten them with a spatula to form the shape.
- Fry for another 2-3 minutes until both sides are golden brown and the insides are fully cooked.
- Make the Pineapple Tartare Sauce:
- In a small bowl, mix the diced pineapple, mayonnaise, and minced white onion.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the amount of pineapple or mayonnaise based on your desired consistency and flavour. Chill until ready to serve.
- Plate and Garnish:
- Arrange the cooked patties on a serving plate.
- Serve with a dollop of pineapple tartare sauce on the side or spread on top.
- Drizzle lime juice over for a fresh, zesty finis
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