Serves 4

These fun, “make it yourself” bundles are one of my favorite snacks. They are packed full of flavor and texture — so much so that it's probably not a bad idea to make a double recipe!

Curried Fish Cakes

¼ cup chopped shallots

¼ cup chopped garlic

¼ cup chopped lemongrass, inner portion only

1 tablespoon chopped ginger

½ teaspoon peppercorns

1 teaspoon grated lime peel

1 tablespoon shrimp paste

5–10 dried chilies, seeded, soaked, and shredded

½ tablespoon salt

1 pound boneless whitefish steak, minced

1 egg, beaten

½ pound French beans, trimmed and finely chopped

Vegetable oil for frying

  1. Place the shallots, garlic, lemongrass, ginger, peppercorns, lime peel, shrimp paste, chilies, and salt in a food processor or blender and process to form a smooth paste.
  2. Add the fish to the food processor and pulse until well combined with the spice paste. Add the beaten egg and combine once more. Transfer the fish mixture to a large mixing bowl and stir in the green beans.
  3. Using approximately 1 tablespoon of fish mixture, form a flat, round cake; repeat until all of the mixture is used.
  4. Heat approximately illustration to ¼ inch of vegetable oil to 350 degrees over medium-high heat in a skillet or deep fryer; fry the fish cakes until golden.
  5. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.