Salmon-Apple Burgers

Ingredients

• 1 cup apple cider
• 2 Golden Delicious apples
• peeled and coarsely grated
• 3 medium shallots (or 1 small red onion)
• finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
• plus whole leaves for topping
• 1 1/4 pounds skinless salmon fillet
• cut into 1-inch chunks
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• plus more for topping
• 2 teaspoons unsalted butter
• plus more for the buns
• 4 potato buns
• split and toasted
• Potato chips
• for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Combine the cider, apples, 2 shallots, 2 tablespoons vinegar, 1 teaspoon curry powder, and salt and pepper to taste in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
2. Cook until the liquid evaporates, about 12 minutes; let cool slightly.
3. Stir in 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro.
4. Meanwhile, pulse three-quarters of the salmon in a food processor until finely ground.
5. Add the remaining salmon; pulse until chopped.
6. Transfer to a bowl; stir in the panko, mayonnaise and the remaining shallot, 2 tablespoons cilantro, 1 tablespoon vinegar and 2 teaspoons curry powder.
7. Add salt and pepper.
8. Form into four 1/2-inch-thick patties.
9. Melt the butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
10. Add the patties and cook until browned and cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side.
11. Butter the buns and sandwich with the salmon burgers, mayonnaise, the apple relish and more cilantro.
12. Serve with chips.
13. Photograph by Antonis Achilleos