If you want to be fancy, call these salmon croquettes. They could also be salmon cakes, like crab cakes. It’s just another way to use canned fish. A delicious way.

This is a simple non-recipe, adapted from this one on about.com. It’s made of ingredients we always have on hand, and withstands many substitutions. It’s fast to put together and bakes quickly. A perfect mom recipe!

Salmon Patties
Adapted from about.com
Yield: 6-7 small patties, enough for 2-3 people
Time: about 30 minutes, plus chilling time

Small can of good quality salmon (tonight I used a 7.5 oz can of Pure Alaska Salmon Co. Thinkpink)
Onion, chopped fine
Lemon juice
1 egg
mustard
worcestershire sauce
Salt and pepper
breadcrumbs (I use crushed matzo, about half a large square)

Mix all ingredients, include salmon juice from can (unless it’s packed in water, then maybe not). Chill for 15 minutes or much longer. Preheat oven to 375 and grease a cookie sheet. Form mixture into patties, they will be wet but will hold a shape. Bake about 15 minutes, flipping halfway or whenever lightly browned on the bottom.

Serve with lemon wedges or with some sort of sauce, like cheater aioli. I think an avocado salsa would also be good (I recently found the most delicious avocado salsa at La Palma at 24th and Florida, another good thing about San Francisco).

Herb and spice additions might include tabasco or other hot sauce, dill, etc.