PRAWN AND SALMON BURGERS

Oily fish like salmon is good for us and these burgers make a delicious and filling meal.

SERVES 4

● 400g (14oz) salmon fillet ● 180g (6oz) raw peeled prawns

● 3 spring onions, chopped ● 2tsp sushi ginger (from larger supermarkets), very finely chopped

● 1tbsp tamari or soy sauce ● 1tsp sesame seeds (preferably black)

● Sea salt and black pepper

● 1tsp sesame oil

FOR THE PICKLED CUCUMBER

● 1 large cucumber ● 1tsp salt

● 1tsp sugar

● 1tbsp Japanese rice vinegar

● 1tsp wasabi paste

TO SERVE

● 4 burger buns or 4 large lettuce leaves (see tip below right)

● Watercress sprigs

Cut the cucumberin half lengthways and remove the seeds with a spoon – no need to peel. Using a vegetable peeler, slice the cucumber into ribbons. Put the ribbons in a colander and sprinkle with the salt, then place over a bowl and leave for half an hour. The cucumber will give out plenty of liquid, which will drain into the bowl.

Squeeze the cucumber gently, then transfer to a tea towel or kitchen paper to blot off excess liquid. Whisk the sugar, vinegar and wasabi paste in a bowl and add the cucumber. Toss to combine. Taste for seasoning and add a little salt if needed.

Now make the burgers. Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan 160°C/gas 4. Put two-thirds of the salmon and peeled prawns in a food processor, then blitz for a few seconds until puréed. Finely chop the remaining salmon and prawns – this will give the burger some texture.

Transfer both the puréed and the chopped salmon and prawns to a bowl and add the spring onions, sushi ginger, tamari or soy sauce and the sesame seeds. Mix well and season with a little salt and pepper. Shape into 4 burgers. Place the burgers on a baking tray. Mix the sesame oil with 2tsp water and brush the burgers. Bake for 15 minutes. Lightly toast the burger buns, if using, and serve the burgers with the cucumber and a few sprigs of watercress.

INFO PER SERVING WITHOUT BUN/WITH BUN CALORIES 295/460 PROTEIN 30/35g CARBS 4/32g SUGAR 3.5/4.5g FAT 17.5/20.5g SATURATED FAT 3/4g FIBRE 1.5/2.5g SALT 0.95/1.9g

The Hairy Dieters Simple Healthy Food: 80 Tasty Recipes To Lose Weight & Stay Healthy is published by Seven Dials on Thursday, €23.75 from Dubray © Dave Myers and Si King 2022. Photographer: Andrew Hayes-Watkins