Salmon Burgers with Herb Aïoli
by Dina Cheney
Looking to change up your beef burger routine right about now? Fresh salmon makes a great burger. You'll need to remove the salmon's pin bones with small tweezers or pliers, or ask your fishmonger to remove the bones before you leave the market. Ripe tomato slices sprinkled with salt and pepper would be a colorful addition to these burgers.
Serves 4
2 small cloves garlic
Kosher salt
1-1/2 cups mayonnaise
1/3 cup finely chopped fresh chives
2 Tbs. finely chopped fresh dill
1-1/2 Tbs. Dijon mustard
1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
1/8 tsp. cayenne
Freshly ground black pepper
5 brioche or hamburger buns, 1 cut into large cubes, the other 4 split
1 lb. skinless salmon fillets, preferably wild, pin bones removed, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 2 cups)
2 oz. (4 Tbs.) unsalted butter
Chop the garlic. Using the flat side of a chef’s knife, mash the garlic to a paste with a pinch of salt. Transfer the garlic paste to a small bowl and stir in the mayonnaise, chives, dill, mustard, lemon juice, cayenne, 1/4 tsp. pepper, and salt to taste. Set the aïoli aside.
In a food processor, pulse the cubed bun into crumbs. Set aside 1/2 cup of the crumbs and save the rest for another use. Pulse the salmon until coarsely chopped, about 5 pulses. Transfer the salmon to a medium bowl and stir in 3/4 cup of the aïoli, the reserved breadcrumbs, 1/4 tsp. salt, and 1/8 tsp. pepper. Shape into four 1-inch-thick patties.
Heat 2 Tbs. of the butter in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. When melted and hot (but not smoking or brown), add the patties and cook until they are firm and each side is crisp and golden-brown, 3 to 5 minutes per side.
Meanwhile, position a rack 6 inches from the broiler and heat the broiler on high. Melt the remaining 2 Tbs. butter in a microwave or on the stovetop. Brush it on the insides of the split buns. Put the buns on a baking sheet, butter side up, and toast under the broiler until light goldenbrown, 1 to 2 minutes.
Serve the burgers on the buns, spread with the remaining aïoli.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with a deeply spiced, aromatic
Chickpea and Spinach Salad.
nutrition information (per serving):
Calories
(kcal):
870;
Fat
(g):
53;
Fat Calories
(kcal):
470;
Saturated Fat
(g):
22;
Protein
(g):
35;
Monounsaturated Fat
(g):
8;
Carbohydrates
(g):
55;
Polyunsaturated Fat
(g):
12;
Sodium
(mg):
1140;
Cholesterol
(mg):
265;
Fiber
(g):
1;
photo: Scott Phillips
From Fine Cooking 105
, pp. 22
May 6, 2010
