Belizean Grilled Fish Burger

This grilled fish burger is a fired-up re-creation of a fish sandwich we devoured in the tiny town of San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, Belize. The restaurant was called Elvies Burger Isle, and the diners sat outside under a tamarind tree on picnic benches. If ever there was a simple to prepare, quick and easy fish recipe with significant heat, this is it. Serve with Curried Pineapple Serrano Salsa, french fries, crispy cole slaw, and to toast Elvie, a frosty tamarind cooler.

Belizean Rubbed and Grilled Fish Burger Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon ground habanero chile
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1 teaspoon ground thyme
• ½ teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 small white fish fillets, such as snapper, trigger fish, or grouper
• 4 rolls

Curried Pineapple Serrano Salsa

• 1 ripe pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut in 1/4-inch slices
• 3 serrano chiles, stems removed, chopped
• 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon orange juice
• 2 teaspoons curry powder
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

1. In a bowl, combine the chile, salt, garlic, thyme, allspice and nutmeg. Brush the fillets with the oil and dust with the spice mixture. Allow to sit at room temperature while you prepare the grill. Cut the rolls in half length-wise and brush with 1 tablespoon oil. Grill the fish in a grill basket over medium heat until done, about 5 minutes per side, or until the fillets flake. Grill the rolls to slightly warm.
2. To make the salsa, grill the pineapple slices or heat in a pan for 5 to 10 minutes until the pineapple is browned. Dice the pineapple. Combine all the ingredients for the salsa, except for the cilantro, and allow to sit at room temperature for an hour to blend the flavors. Toss with the cilantro and spread over the fish burgers.