If you like crab cakes, you'll love these Thai Shrimp Cakes, aka Shrimp Fritters or Prawn Cakes. Crisp Panko coating keeps them tender and moist. Don't miss the Mango Dip! Gluten-free option.
1cupraw shrimp or prawns, any size, peeled and deveined
2egg whites
1clovegarlicminced
1.5teaspoonfish sauce
1tablespoonfresh ginger,grated
1tablespooncanned green chilies,finely chopped
¼cupcilantro leaves,finely chopped
1tablespooncornstarchheaped
¼tsp eachsalt and pepper
1 ½cupsPanko crumbs,divided (1 cup for coating fritters) Gluten-free if necessary.
Mango Dipping Sauce
¾cupdiced mango,fresh or frozen and thawed
2tablespoonrice vinegar
1tablespoonfresh lime juice
1tablespoonhoney
1teaspooncilantro,finely chopped
Instructions
Mango Dipping Sauce
Place all ingredients except cilantro in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Stir in finely chopped cilantro leaves. Let stand for 30 minutes to allow flavours to blend.
Shrimp Cakes
Chop the raw shrimp into very fine pieces. If using a food processor, pulse to chop, watching carefully to prevent over processing. The shrimp should be finely chopped, not turned into paste. Transfer to a medium bowl.
Whisk two egg whites until frothy (or whip them in the now-empty food processor --no need to wash it out.) Add to the bowl of shrimp along with minced garlic, ginger, fish sauce, chilies, cilantro, cornstarch and ½ cup Panko crumbs.
Gently combine without overmixing. Form into patties. You can make small 1-inch diameter patties for appetizers, or larger ones for a main course. Coat completely with Panko crumbs and place on a baking sheet.
At this point you can cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day until you're ready to fry them.
Heat a skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium-high heat. Add oil and heat until it shimmers. Carefully add the shrimp cakes. Fry on one side until lightly browned 3-4 minutes for the small size, longer for the larger size, then turn and fry on the other side for 3-4 minutes. Remove to paper towel, then transfer to a serving plate and serve with Mango Dipping Sauce.
Notes
Gluten-free Panko crumbs are available in supermarkets and work very well in this recipe.