We wore a trail through the field to my aunt’s and uncle’s house from our almost daily visits. Situated just behind our house with gardens, barns, and pastures between us, we made a path connecting our backyards. While our yard was filled with a see-saw and Barbie dolls, theirs had baseballs, footballs, and a basketball hoop. Their playroom was filled with Matchbox cars and Mad magazines which always was more interesting to me than the baby dolls that were in ours.
Throughout my life, I thought of their home as my third – only behind my own house and my Grandmothers.
My aunt always had supper ready by 6:00 and you could guarantee it was delicious. Her stove would be filled with pots and pans brimming with vegetables from their garden. Beans, peas, potatoes, corn, okra – everything my uncle had worked the season to grow and my aunt had worked to preserve. You could always find a story with every meal you had with them. Stories of battling Japanese beetles, knowing how to tell if the corn was ready to pick, and trying out a new way of planting and staking tomatoes. Stories of my aunt making vegetable soup with her mother as a young girl and “putting up” more vegetables than her freezer would hold. At the time, I was more interested in hearing my cousins talking about their day or telling a joke they’d heard at school. Now, stories of gardening and cooking are the stories that I hear my sister and I telling one another – just a different generation of them.
Just as those stories weren’t what I was pining for as a young girl, my Mama also made a meal that was one of my Daddy’s favorite and was far from my own. I could smell it cooking as I walked down the steps and into our kitchen and would try to think quickly of some reason why I should eat any other supper but the one she had prepared.
Just like those stories, it is a meal that I find myself enjoying now. It’s not one that I prepare often, although it is definitely delicious, but one that I prepare when a deep sense of nostalgia hits me and I need the comfort of a meal my Daddy loved.
It makes me enjoy it all the more.
Ingredients
- 1 16 ounce can pink salmon
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup self-rising flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions
- Drain and place salmon into a medium bowl, discarding any skin or bones. Break apart salmon into pieces with a fork.
- Add eggs, milk, flour, salt and pepper and combine well.
- Heat vegetable oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Spoon equal portions of salmon into the skillet to make patties. Cook until browned on each side, turning once.
Serve immediately over buttermilk biscuits and topped with a delicious gravy.
Do you have a dish you surely didn’t want to try as a child that now you love? I’d love to hear about it. Tell me in the comments below.
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You took me home for a minute Robin and I just love the recipe, then again I love me some fish. xoxo
Thank you so much, Red. This recipe always takes me back to my Mama’s kitchen, too!
Salmon patties were one of my favorite meals growing up. Since there were five around our table, Mama had to make lots of them! She always served them with English peas and rice. I still make them occasionally.
English peas go perfectly with salmon patties, don’t they? We always had them with some mashed potatoes, too.
Those look delish! I remember hating creamed spinach as a child. I can still barely tolerate it. Also when I was little and lived on my grandmother’s farm in Poland a typical meal might be homemade noodles with cream and mashed strawberries. I absolutely despised it. To this day I cannot have anything remotely sweet in my main course. The thought makes me shudder!
What great memories you must have of your grandmother’s farm! But, I would have to agree with you on the creamed spinach. I think I was in my 30′s before I even gave it a shot!
Comfort food indeed!
It takes me right back to my Mama’s kitchen table with my Daddy. I love that about recipes!
Love salmon patties – supper tomorrow night!!!!! Thanks!
I’ve learned that different families make their salmon patties in different ways. I’d love to hear how you make yours!
You just transported me to my Mamaw’s kitchen. I love salmon patties, and I love that my littles do now, too.
I absolutely adore your posts and your recipes!
Thank you so much, Natalie! I’m so grateful for my family recipes. They are truly precious heirlooms.
I just bought a few cans of salmon at Costco this week…craving salmon patties!
Love hearing about your aunt…my aunt’s house felt the same way to me, another home away from home. Have a great weekend Robyn.
I love having cans of Salmon onhand…can you believe I’ve never made salmon patties? I’m definitely giving these a try. and serving with biscuits! So smart!
I remember always complaining when my mom made beef stew. Now, what I wouldn’t give to have her make it again.
Think I’m finally going to do it – I’ve never tried them before but these look so good. Thanks for the inspiration.
What kind of gravy? I love salmon patties… my Mom always served mac & cheese with them.
I make them without milk but, will definitely give it a try! Thanks.