Make-Ahead Seafood Cakes

• 1 (5 oz.) can tuna, crab meat, or salad shrimp - drained
• 2 sliced green onions
• 1 egg
• 2 T. bread crumbs
• 1/4 tsp. chili powder - choose one with the level of heat you prefer
• 1/4 tsp. paprika
• 1/8 tsp. sea salt
• 1 T. lime juice
• 2 T. mayonnaise
• 2-3 T. fat for frying - I used a 50/50 mix of bacon fat and canola oil

Combine all of the ingredients except the frying fat in a small dish and stir until combined. Refrigerate until ready to fry. The mixture can be made up to a day in advance.

Using an ice cream disher, make little patties using the seafood mix. I recommend forming all of the patties in advance of heating the frying fat.

Place the frying fat in a medium-sized skillet and heat over medium-high heat. When the fat is hot, carefully set the patties into the the fat and fry on each side for 4 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and drain them briefly before serving alongside a simple salad and topped with your favorite hot sauce, mustard, relish, and/or dressing.

• Yields: 1-2 servings - can be easily multiplied
• Preparation Time: 20 minutes