Des

Hey! I'm Des!

Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.

Read more »

Oregon Shrimp Cakes

Delectable Shrimp Cakes are loaded with sweet Oregon shrimp, garlic and seasonings and drizzled with Apricot Ginger Sauce. The perfect appetizer for any occasion!

Disclosure: I was gifted a copy of The Oregon Farm Table Cookbook for review. All opinions are my own. 

We’ve all heard of crab cakes but did you know that you can make a very similar, just as delectable appetizer with shrimp as well? That’s right, these Oregon Shrimp Cakes are loaded with sweet bay shrimp, green onions, paprika, coated in panko and fried until golden. 

Side angle photo of shrimp cakes on white plate.

This recipe for Oregon Shrimp Cakes are just one of the 101 delicious recipes in Karista Bennett’s new cookbook “The Oregon Farm Table Cookbook“. When I sit down to try to pick which recipe to share with you today, I’m not lying when I was saying that it was a tough decision. That is because this cookbook is loaded with all kinds of recipes featuring the gorgeous bounty that the Pacific Northwest has to offer. 

Overhead photo of Oregon Farm Table Cookbook

You’ll find chapters on Breakfast and Brunch with delicious recipes for Apple, Bacon, Cheddar Bread Pudding and Chai Spiced Pumpkin Coffee Cake. There is a soup chapter loaded with goodness like Chicken and Rosemary Lemon Dumplings, Pacific Northwest Style Fisherman’s Stew and Roasted Garlic and Dungeness Crab Soup. 

Overhead photo of shrimp cakes on white plate.

And that is only a fraction of the deliciousness that awaits you in this book. The other chapters for appetizers, salads, entrees, desserts and condiments are loaded with so many more recipes showcasing the bounty of the PNW. 

And not only is this cookbook full of fantastic recipes. Karista also introduces you to a number of makers, farmers and growers that live and work in Oregon. You’ll meet wonderful people that pride themselves on bringing fresh, local food to the tables in their community. 

Side angle photo of shrimp cakes with sauce on white plate.

And if you’ve spent any time on Karista’s blog, Karista’s Kitchen then you just know that the photography is going to be amazing. 

After reading this cookbook like a novel, I finally decided on sharing this recipe for Oregon Bay Shrimp Cakes with Apricot Ginger Sauce. 

What ingredients do you need? 

The apricot ginger sauce has just a handful of ingredients. To make it, you’ll need apricot preserves, fresh ginger, sweet Thai chili sauce and white wine. 

For the shrimp cakes, you’ll need a bit more but I just wanted to highlight a few of them here. 

Ingredients for shrimp cakes in food processor.

OREGON SHRIMP: These are sometimes labeled as “bay shrimp” or “salad shrimp”. They are the small pink shrimp at the seafood counter and they are fully cooked. 

PANKO BREADCRUMBS: These are my breadcrumbs of choice. They are my favorite coating of choice when I fry foods because they add a mega crunch factor. 

Shrimp cake on top of panko.

GHEE: This recipe calls for ghee for frying. In case you don’t know, ghee is clarified butter and I’ve seen it off and on and my grocery store. If you can’t find it and don’t want to make your own, you can also use oil. Stick to something neutral with a higher smoke point like canola or avocado. 

Step by Step Photos and Instructions: 

STEP #1: Make the apricot ginger sauce by simmering all ingredients together in a pot. 

STEP #2: Combine shrimp, green onion, garlic, lemon, cilantro, Dijon, paprika, chili powder, salt, black pepper, 1/2 cup panko, mayonnaise, egg and hot sauce in a food processor. Pulse a few times until combined. You want the mixture sticky so that it will hold together when frying. 

Blended ingredients in food processor.

STEP #3: Form the mixture into patties. Next,  dredge the patties in panko bread crumbs to coat both sides. 

Coated shrimp cake in panko bread crumbs on white plate.

STEP #4: Fry until golden brown on both sides about 2 – 3 minutes per side. Serve with apricot ginger sauce. 

Frying cakes in cast iron skillet.

You guys, I adored these shrimp cakes and I am so glad they are the first recipe I decided to try from Karista’s book. But I know they won’t be my last. You’ve got to get your hands on it, and while you’re at it, they would make a great gift this coming holiday season. 

Looking for more seafood recipes? Here are some of my most popular! 

Fried Cod 

Shrimp and Scallop Linguine

Baked Salmon with Lemon and Capers

Parmesan Crusted Tilapia with Tomato Basil Cream Sauce

Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Lime Sauce

Planning a get together? You’ve got to check out these easy party appetizers

Zucchini Cakes 

Creamy Ranch Dip 

Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms

Mini Pigs in a Blanket

Air Fryer Mushrooms

This recipe was excerpted from The Oregon Farm Table Cookbook. Copyright 2020 by Karista Bennet. Reproduced by permission of The Countryman Press & W.W. Norton & Company. All rights reserved.

Cakes with green onion on white plate.

Oregon Shrimp Cakes

Delectable Shrimp Cakes are loaded with sweet Oregon shrimp, garlic and seasonings and drizzled with Apricot Ginger Sauce. A party perfect appetizer!
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Course Easy Appetizer Recipes, Main Dishes
Cuisine American
Servings 10 Servings

Ingredients
  

For the Apricot Ginger Sauce:

  • 1/2 cup apricot preserves
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • 2 tablespoons Thai sweet chili sauce
  • 1/4 cup white wine

For the Shrimp Cakes

  • 1 pound small Oregon shrimp patted dry with a paper towel and chopped
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped green onion
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 egg whisked
  • dash of hot sauce
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons ghee or high-heat oil for pan frying
  • thinly sliced green onions

Instructions
 

  • To make the sauce: In a small saucepan, heat the preserves, grated ginger, chili sauce and white wine over medium heat. Let it simmer for a few minutes then take off the heat. When it cool, it will thicken. Reheat the sauce to thin.
  • To make the shrimp cakes: In a food processor add the chopped shrimp, green onions, garlic, lemon zest, cilantro, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, pepper, 1/2 cup panko, mayonnaise and whisked egg. Add a dash of hot sauce, if desired. Pulse a few times to combine the ingredients. You just want them to be cohesive and a bit sticky, so they will stay together while panfrying. Due to variances in the moisture of bay shrimp, adding additional panko or mayonnaise may be needed. Chill in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes.
  • Form 3 - inch round patties (making sure they are tightly formed) and place them on a cookie sheet or plate. Place 1/2 cup panko in a bowl. Heat a large skillet over medum-low heat and add ghee or oil. When oil is hot, but not smoking, gently dredge shrimp cakes in the panko so they're coated on both sides, and then add them to the skillet. Cook 4 at a time in the skillet. Cook for 2 - 3minutes on each side, or until both sides are golden brown. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate or cooling rack.
  • Arrange the shrimp cakes on a platter and garnish with thinly slice green onion. Serve with the Apricot Ginger Sauce.
Tried this recipe?Mention @lifesambrosia or tag #lifesambrosia!

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




  • Reply
    Lola Osinkolu | Chef Lola's Kitchen
    September 21, 2020 at 4:07 pm

    5 stars
    Such a helpful and detailed review this is, thanks!

  • Reply
    Karista Bennett
    September 18, 2020 at 1:51 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you so much Des for the lovely review!! xoxo

    • Reply
      Deseree
      September 18, 2020 at 8:14 pm

      You are so welcome! Congrats on your beautiful book! xoxo

    Des

    Hey! I'm Des!

    Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.

    Read more »

    Sharing is Caring

    Help spread the word. You're awesome for doing it!