For Andrew Hroza, executive chef at Ninkasi Brewing Company in Eugene, winter is a time to dip into the pantry and sift through the ingredients we've accumulated for recipes over the previous year. So when thinking about a recipe that represented the season, he immediately thought about Nordic salmon cakes.
For starters, Hroza says, you probably have most of the ingredients in your kitchen. And with the annual Willamette River salmon migration done for another season, it's also the time of year when we dip into our well of well-preserved smoked salmon.
But it's not just a matter of convenience that animated Hroza to single this recipe out: It uses fish found in Willamette Valley waterways, creating a close connection with the region, and is a hit with the family during the holidays. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the salmon cakes pair well with Ninkasi's flagship Total Domination IPA, either.
And if you're looking for locally sourced sides or ingredients, see what's available on the Built Oregon marketplace, which recently launched to support the work of makers and creators based in the Beaver State. We're excited to support their efforts, and we encourage you to shop local this holiday season.
