Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Fish Burgers



Food to me is about more than sustenance or nourishment. A good meal is like a good song, well balanced, filled with emotion and capable of changing your mood. A cupcake is a happy, upbeat tune that makes me feel like I’m cruising down a sunny strip of highway in a convertible, wind in my hair and not a care in the world. I like the soulful feel of a steak, a bottle of full-bodied cabernet, and Jonny Lang on low in the background. I like my music like I like my food; uninhibited with a note of soul.

Lat night’s tune is light, carefree and brings me back to the beach, more of a Jack Johnson than a Jimmy Buffet feel. I have been missing home a lot lately; the people, the beach, and of course the food. Even the air in Hawaii is different- it just feels healthy and happy. It may sound strange, but go there and see for yourself (don’t we all wish). Last night, we dined like happy islanders would: pan seared fish burgers on whole-wheat buns. I had a hankering for fish, but being thousands of miles away from any coast, sometimes we have to sacrifice quality. Tonight’s halibut from Whole Foods was perfect, moist with the perfect level of flakiness. And best of all, it was fresh, never frozen. Not quite sure what fresh, previously frozen means (yes, that is what many of the fish selections are labeled here), it seems like an oxymoron to me.

I like to play mad scientist when I make new sauces. Little of this, little of that, taste. Eww gross, dump that, start over. Lots of this, tiny bit of that, taste. Better. More experimenting, then yes! Perfect, Which is a great method when discovering new things, but bad for consistency when you want to recreate the winning sauce. The recipe below is my lazy take on an aioli like sauce (I didn’t write it down as I went, so well see how I do). Aioli is a mayonnaise-based sauce with LOTS of garlic. True aioli takes lots of time and either a food processor or a mortar and pestle, neither of which I own yet. I urge you to try this sauce as is below, and if you find that it is gross, well, become a mad scientist yourself and mix to your hearts content. Hey. I did tell you I had an issue with consistency.

Fish Burger Sauce

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp Worcestershire
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
salt and pepper to taste

Mix ingredients with a fork, breaking up mayonnaise. Stir until creamy. Taste, add more of whatever you like to taste 


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