Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons coriander seeds
  • 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
  • 1 bunch scallions, trimmed and minced
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 pounds skinless salmon fillets (wild caught preferred), finely chopped
  • 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 2 teaspoons canola oil
  • 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
  • 1 teaspoon sweet curry powder
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons honey Dijon mustard
  • 3 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro leaves
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 tablespoons apricot preserves, chopped
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons orange juice concentrate, thawed
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Canola oil
  • 6 poppy seed or sesame seed hamburger buns, split
  • 3 cups really fresh, crisp watercress leaves
  • Cilantro and watercress sprigs for garnish, optional

Method

  • Prepare gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat for direct-heat cooking.
  • Toast coriander and cumin seeds in a small saute pan over medium heat for 2 minutes or until fragrant and lightly browned.
  • Remove from pan, cool and grind.
  • Place ground spices in a large bowl; add cilantro, scallions, egg, kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper; mix well.
  • Gently but thoroughly mix in salmon and panko.
  • Shape mixture into 6 (3/4-inch thick) patties and refrigerate until ready to grill.
  • Curried Mustard Mayo: Heat canola oil in a very small nonstick saucepan over medium heat.
  • Add ginger and garlic and saute for 2 minutes.
  • Stir in curry powder and continue to saute for 1 minute.
  • Remove mixture to a mini food processor; reserve pan.
  • Add mayonnaise and mustard to processor and puree.
  • Remove to a small bowl, stir in cilantro and season, to taste, with sea salt and pepper.
  • Refrigerate until needed.
  • Orange-Apricot Glaze: Place preserves, butter, orange juice concentrate and cayenne in reserved saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring, until preserves and butter have melted.
  • Boil glaze for 2 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and set aside.
  • Oil grill grates canola oil.
  • Grill burgers over direct heat for 3 minutes, covered if using a gas grill.
  • Gently flip burgers and grill for 3 minutes.
  • Brush burgers with half of the glaze; flip and cook for 1 minute.
  • Brush with remaining glaze; flip and cook for 1 additional minute or until burgers are cooked through.
  • Remove.
  • Spray cut sides of buns lightly with cooking spray and grill cut sides down, along outer edges of grill, until lightly toasted, about 1 minute.
  • Spread cut side of bottom buns with half of mayo mixture; top with half of the watercress leaves, a burger, remaining mayo, remaining watercress and tops of buns.
  • Garnish platter or dinner plates with cilantro and watercress sprigs, as desired.