Name: Shrimp Cakes with Chili-Lime Cream Sauce
Yield: Makes 6 first-course servings
Ingredients: 16 uncooked large shrimp (about 1 pound), peeled, deveined; 1 large egg; 1 green onion, sliced; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard; 1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro; 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce; 1/2 teaspoon salt; Pinch of ground black pepper; 2 cups panko (Japanese breadcrumbs); 2 tablespoons (or more) peanut oil; Chili-Lime Cream Sauce

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Bonnie Hillard of Washington, DC, writes: "My sister and I stumbled across Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar at the end of a day of shopping at the Kapalua Shops on Maui. We'd read about this popular spot in a guidebook, and we couldn't resist stopping in for dinner. Everything was fabulous, especially the shrimp cakes we shared."

Market tip:

Unseasoned Japanese breadcrumbs called panko, give these shrimp cakes a light, crispy coating. Dry white breadcrumbs make a good substitute. Panko is available in the Asian foods section of some supermarkets and at Asian markets.

Recipe notes

Oven-Fried Shrimp

Kewpie Mayonnaise is the ultimate secret ingredient to creating a perfect oven-baked battered-and-fried crunch without a deep fryer.

Wampanoaug Clam Fritters

The clams’ natural briny sweetness serves as a surprising foil for the tender fritter batter—just be sure to pull off the tough outer coating of the siphon.

Pad Kee Mao (Drunken Spaghetti)

Spaghetti is a common variation in modern Thai cooking. It’s so easy to work with and absorbs the garlicky, spicy notes of pad kee mao well.

Green Curry Mussels

The mussels here add their beautiful, briny juices into the curry, which turn this into a stunning and spectacular dish.

Kimchi Bloody Mary

The kimchi brine is the secret hero here; just a splash of it brightens the cocktail while deepening it with a little funky je ne sais quoi.

Cardamom Pancakes With Honey Lime Syrup

Yeasted pancakes mixed with saffron and cardamom (called chebab) are typical of Gulf countries, but I must confess I much prefer these lacy thin crepes.

Southern Thai Fried Chicken (Gai Tod Hat Yai)

This is one of the best fried chickens ever. From southern Thailand, gai hat yai is known for its crispy skin, great aromatics, and super juicy meat.

Kimchi Gim Bugak (Fried Seaweed Chips)

Bugak is the ideal light beer snack: It’s crunchy, salty, and the fresher it’s made, the better. Thin sheets of kimchi add an extra spicy savory layer.