A Cook's Notebook: Minaho Fish Cakes

You know all that stuff that sits in the yard or the garage - like broken lawn mowers or maybe a dull chain saw - there's a word for that stuff and it's not 'junk' - it's minaho.

Minaho is a concept that comes from the Woodland Cree Indians to account for why we keep this stuff around. The reason is because it all has potential. In a pinch - the chain saw chain that's too dull to cut wood will make a good boat hitch someday. Minaho lies in wait (and sometimes in rust) to creatively solve problems. As a cook I keep my minaho in the refrigerator and on the pantry shelves.

I store it like a squirrel packing nuts away for the winter and become very territorial if someone tries to throw it out. There's always a windfall of minaho after the holidays or when houseguests go - they leave behind half -used jars of sauces, ketchups, jams and jellies. Or maybe a gift - an exotic concoction wit...
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