Instructions: Seafood Alternatives: catfish, snapper, scallops, salmon For the cilantro aioli, coarsely chop the entire bunch of cilantro (stems and leaves) and put it in a blender or small food processor. Add the lemon zest and garlic to the blender and whirl until coarsely chopped. Add the mayonnaise and whirl until the cilantro is very finely chopped. Add the lemon juice and whirl to mix.

Transfer the cilantro aioli to a small serving bowl and set it on a platter with the lettuce leaves, mango, mint leaves and lime wedges. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.

Cut the fish into 1-inch pieces and finely chop it in a food processor, 10 to 20 seconds; do not overprocess to a smooth puree. (Alternatively, finely mince the fish with a knife.) In a bowl, combine the fish, green onions, jalapeno, garlic, ginger, fish sauce and lemon zest and stir until well blended.

Form the fish mixture into patties of about 2 tablespoons each; you should have 16 patties total.

Pour about 1/8 inch oil into a large frying pan. Heat over medium-high heat until ripples develop in the oil. With a spatula, carefully slide 5 to 6 patties into the pan, spacing them at least 1 inch apart. Cook until golden on the bottom, 2 to 4 minutes.

Turn and cook until golden on the bottom and opaque in the center. (Reduce the heat if the patties become too dark before cooking through.) Drain on paper towels, then keep warm in a 200 degrees oven. Repeat to cook the remaining patties, adding more oil to the pan as needed.

Pile the fish cakes onto the serving platter alongside the other ingredients. To eat, put a fish cake, some mango and mint in the center of a lettuce leaf. Sprinkle with a squeeze of lime, then spoon on some of the cilantro aioli. Fold up and eat out of hand.

This recipe yields 4 to 6 servings.

Comments: These flavorful fish cakes are tasty served alone, or with a dollop of the cilantro sauce, but they are outstanding when wrapped in crisp lettuce, with fresh mint and mango tucked inside. It is an Asian approach that is deliciously different.

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