Baked Thai Fish Cakes (Tod Mun Pla)

Baked instead of deep-fried, these traditional Thai fish cakes deliver authentic citrusy flavors packed with high-quality lean protein and minimal added fat.

Ingredients

Calories next to each ingredient are for that ingredient across the whole recipe (4 servings), not per serving.

• 600 g fresh cod fillet, finely minced · 396 kcal in the whole recipe
• 1 large egg · 72 kcal in the whole recipe
• 100 g fresh green beans, thinly sliced into rounds · 31 kcal in the whole recipe
• 1 tbsp cornstarch · 57 kcal in the whole recipe
• 1 tbsp fish sauce · 6 kcal in the whole recipe
• 20 g red hot chili pepper, finely chopped · 7 kcal in the whole recipe
• 3 cloves garlic (12 g) · 18 kcal in the whole recipe
• 1 tsp grated fresh ginger (6 g) · 5 kcal in the whole recipe
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice · 4 kcal in the whole recipe
• 1 tbsp canola oil (for brushing) · 117 kcal in the whole recipe
• 150 g cucumber, finely diced · 24 kcal in the whole recipe
• 30 g shallot, finely diced · 22 kcal in the whole recipe
• 2 tbsp white vinegar (or rice vinegar) · 6 kcal in the whole recipe
• 2 tsp brown sugar · 38 kcal in the whole recipe
• 30 g unsalted roasted peanuts, crushed · 176 kcal in the whole recipe
• 1 stalk fresh lemongrass (finely minced) and 4 kaffir lime leaves (thinly shredded)

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

   

2. In a food processor, blend minced cod, egg, hot pepper, garlic, ginger, lime juice, fish sauce, cornstarch, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves until a smooth, sticky paste forms.

   

3. Transfer the fish paste to a bowl and fold in the thinly sliced green beans.

   

4. Shape the mixture into 12 small patties, place them on the baking sheet, and brush lightly with canola oil.

   

5. Bake for 12-15 minutes until firm and lightly golden on top.

   

6. In a small bowl, whisk vinegar and brown sugar until dissolved, then stir in cucumber, shallot, and top with crushed peanuts to serve alongside the fish cakes.

   

A Besly kitchen recipe — portions, macros and step photos by Besly.