Summer Salmon Burgers with Dill Flowers

In the summer, dinner starts with herbs. My after-work walk through the garden is usually when I start thinking about what I want to make for dinner, and the inspiration usually comes from the herb bed. By mid-summer, depending on how much attention I have given the herbs, I can find myself challenged, as I may be dealing with flowers, seeds, and rather scruffy looking plants.

Yesterday, as I was pondering the herb garden (some might say spacing out), I became inspired by the dill that was no longer a source of leaves (or, dill weed), and not quite mature seeds, but in the flower--or just past flower--stage.

I decided that they would pair beautifully with the flakes of salmon meat that I had in the fridge. I also had a half a bag of bagel chips, made by a local baker and purchased at the farmers’ market. The obvious answer was summer salmon burgers!

Salmon Burger Ingredients

½ pound salmon flakes (or “burger meat”)

2 tablespoons capers

1 cup crushed bagel chips (or bread crumbs)

¼ cup olive oil

½ cup green onions, minced

4  heads of dill flowers, divided--reserve one flower head for yogurt sauce and one for garnish (or substitute 2 tablespoons  chopped dill weed)

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients  in a bowl and mix gently with a wooden spoon or your hands

2. Form the salmon mixture into burgers

3. Heat a cast iron skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat with enough olive oil to coat the pan

4. Add the burgers to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes, flip with a large spatula, and cook for another 2-3 minutes

Yogurt Sauce

1 cup plain Greek yogurt

½ lemon, juiced

Flowers from one head of dill flowers

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

1 medium cucumber, sliced thinly

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix with a spoon

2. Place a few cucumber slices and a dollop of yogurt sauce on top of each salmon burger

3. Garnish with the remaining dill flowers, and serve
   
   

Note

Burgers can be eaten on your favorite bun, or alone. I prefer to eat them without any bread, as the flavor is so wonderful! ​

I served the burgers with a sweet corn salad, making for a fabulous summer meal.