Some Nova Scotia Notes
Sesame Salmon Cakes and a Canadian Playlist
Chad and I finally made it to Nova Scotia late Sunday afternoon and we've been gently settling in. I’ve noticed there are more birds here this summer than the two prior. I’ve seen a goldfinch, a woodpecker, crows of course, and also some new beaks I’m not yet familiar with. Sugo, who had never seen water before, took to the beach like a fish to water. Every morning, tide permitting, we take him to the flats so he can run wildly on the sand and paddle through the warm, shallow waters. By the time we get home, he is so tired from his adventures, he naps the rest of the afternoon. He’s an old soul and this Sunday he’ll turn two. It boggles my mind that he was born into this world two weeks before Joshie left ours, and in October, when my grief became manageable, I was finally able to make room to love another creature again. And, my goodness, do I love this gentle muppet!
Terrestrial radio boxes out Sonos or Spotify during my summers in Nova Scotia and between the multiple FM offerings of classic rock from Moncton, pop from Halifax and CBC talk from Fredericton - Ocean 100 from Prince Edward Island wins!
At the controls and out of control from the capital city of Charlottetown, Ocean 100 plays the biggest hits from the 70s, 80s and 90s. You know what else they play? At least 35% Canadian content. Since the 1970’s The CRTC (Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission) has required radio stations to play music that meets requirements of writers, producers and performers being from or having one toe in Canada.
What that means is I’m exposed to classic new wave hits from the likes of “Martha and the Muffins” and quirky late 70’s pop from “Doug and the Slugs” and I couldn't be happier about it. There is also a lot of Alanis…
I couldn’t help but make you a playlist so you too you can enjoy some great vibes.
I also wanted to share an interview I did about Nova Scotia this past spring. It was for Virtuoso magazine. You can read it here. I really love it here.
Below is a recipe for some excellent salmon cakes. I hope you enjoy them.
Sesame Salmon Cakes
Our friends Andy and Rachel bought a house 4 minutes away from us and hosted a welcome home dinner on Sunday. She’s a very good cook. On Monday, we went out to dinner, so the first dinner I’ve cooked in nearly a week happened Tuesday. I whisked together soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil and sambal oelek with a generous tablespoon of creamed honey and marinated a piece of salmon for about 30 minutes. We grilled it along with some beautiful broccolini from a nearby farm that I finished with fried shallots and sesame seeds. I also made a batch of sticky rice. As there are only two of us, leftovers were understood, and Chad requested salmon cakes for lunch. I leaned into the Asian influence I used for the marinade and added sesame seeds to help bind them together. I served them on top of a mayonnaise and I whisked together with lime juice, sesame oil and some finely chopped cilantro. Anything creamy would work here. This recipe doubles easily should you want to make it for 4 people. Serve with a green salad for lunch or a light dinner.
Serves 2 to 3
Time: 20 minutes
INGREDIENTS
8 ounces leftover or canned salmon
½ cup panko breadcrumbs
1 large egg
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1 ½ teaspoons grated ginger
½ teaspoon sambal oelek or other chili paste
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
¼ cup finely chopped scallions, both white and green parts
Kosher salt
2 tablespoons olive oil for frying
METHOD
In a large bowl add the salmon and flake with a fork. Add the remaining ingredients with a good pinch of kosher salt and stir together to combine.
Using a ¼ measuring cup, scoop the mixture into the cup and then with your hands gently form into patties. You should yield 6 to 7.
Heat a deep sided 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and when it shimmers carefully add the salmon cakes. Cook until golden, about 3 minutes on one side and 2 minutes on the other.
Transfer to a plate and serve with something creamy.
I have to run and go switch the laundry - we are only able to wash when the weather is good because it’s a line dry house - no complaints! I’ll see you soon.
With love,
Colu
Just had to tell you how much I enjoyed the salmon cakes. I subbed in some homemade whole wheat breadcrumbs for the panko, but otherwise followed the recipe to the letter. Very easy and a nice change for using up leftover salmon. I served them with a soy/sesame oil/vinegar dipping sauce and some Thai sweet chili sauce and they were a big hit.
Oh, the Canadian love! CRTC! 😂😂😂
I’m sitting on my Toronto balcony with my hand up yelling, “me too! Me too!” I saw your post about Malivoire the other day (maybe that was on IG?) and was like, “hey! I know those guys!”
Anyway, I delight in the Canadian content. #cancon