I’m So Totally Cheating. [Picture]

I decided to do the food entry first.  I was running through my pictures to find the one I needed to put on Photobucket and I found the pictures from my party I did and I realized I never posted the entertaining entry.  Maybe I’ll do that after "The Enormously Long Entry About What’s Been Going On in My Life".  Then again, maybe not.   

Following is this month’s recipe.  As per usual, although not always, this is not my personal recipe, but a recipe that I particularly enjoy.  As in, I usually have this about once a week, at least.  And with that, I bring you:

Scrumptious Salmon Cakes with Fries and Steamed Broccoli with Cheese Sauce

4 ounces salmon, uncooked

1 slice sweet onion

1/2 green pepper

1/2 tablespoon mayonnaise, low fat

4 tablespoons sour cream, fat free

1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

8 crackers, whole wheat

1/8 cup egg substitute, fat-free liquid

1/8 teaspoon thyme, ground

1/2 cup broccoli, frozen

1/4 cup milk

2 tablespoons flour

1 small handful of preferred shredded cheese

Generous helping of frozen french fries (crinkle, steak cut, tots…whichever you like)

Preparation

Cook fish until it flakes easily with a fork by either broiling for 5 to 6 minutes, 4 to 5 inches away from heat; or by microwaving for 1-1/2 to 3 minutes, turning after 1 minute.  I usually use the microwave.  Allow fish to cool. This step may be done ahead of time and refrigerated. If you are short of time, you may substitute salmon canned in water for the raw salmon.  I don’t suggest using canned salmon, though…just not as fresh-tasting.  Believe me, it makes a difference.

Wash and finely chop green onion and bell pepper.  This is where your hand chopper comes in worthwhile.  If you don’t have one yet, GO GET ONE!

In a medium bowl, gently flake salmon.  This means fork it off (after you peel the scales off) by the little scored flakes.

Stir in the chopped pepper, onion, mayonnaise, 2 tbsp. of the sour cream, 1 tbsp. of the lemon juice, and black pepper.

Place crackers in a food processor or blender and pulse to make crumbs.

Add cracker crumbs and egg substitute (1/8 cup is about 2 tbsp.) to salmon mixture, mixing thoroughly to combine.

Divide and form mixture into 2 to 3 balls, then flatten into cakes approximately 1/4-inch thick.

Saute´ cakes over medium-high heat in a skillet coated with non-stick cooking spray until golden brown on both sides.

Serve with lemon-herb sauce and broccoli and fries. For sauce, mix together remaining 2 tbsp. of sour cream, remaining 1/2 tbsp. (1-1/2 tsp.) of lemon juice, and thyme; drizzle over salmon cakes.

Steam the broccoli either by putting it in a steamer in a pot on the stove or by the microwave (this is much easier).  If you use the microwave, you don’t have to add water, just cover and heat for a minute-thirty, stir, and another minute-thirty or so..until it’s heated through and feels tender.

To make the cheese sauce, heat milk over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until steaming.  Add flour and stir constantly until thickened.  Add cheese until melted and saucy.  Pour over steamed broccoli.  (Side note:  The cheese sauce in the picture looks funky because I was using stone-ground whole wheat flour, which did not work.  Use bleached, all-purpose flour to thicken the sauce.)

Prepare french fries as directed on package.  Serve with condiment of choice.  (I know the Americans are all about the ketchup and the Canadians are all about the mayo.  Although, I…oh yes!  The Australians are all about the Ranch, right?  )

The reason my title says I was cheating is because I copied and pasted, for the most part, this recipe from Slim Fast .  The fries and broccoli were my variation.  Usually I actually eat the real version – the much healthier version.  This particular night, though, I wanted fries.  I craved them.

Okay.  And with that finished, I give you my leave.  Be merry!  (Sorry.  Watching Kate and Leopold.  Guess it’s rubbing off.)