Description
Ina Garten’s poached salmon delivers elegant simplicity with delicate flavors from classic French cooking techniques. Herb-infused liquid gently cooks salmon to flaky perfection, creating a memorable dinner experience you will savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) fresh salmon, cut into 4 fillets
- 3 garlic cloves, sliced
- 4 dill sprigs
- 4 lemon slices
- ¾ cup (177 ml) water
- ¾ cup (177 ml) dry white wine (Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or non-oaky Chardonnay)
- 1 ½ tbsps (22.5 ml) minced fresh dill
- ½ cup (120 g) plain nonfat Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
- 1 ½ tsp (7.5 ml) Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, grated on a microplane
- 1 tsp (5 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ tsp (2.5 g) kosher salt
- 1/8 tsp (0.6 g) kosher salt
- 1/8 tsp (0.3 g) ground pepper
Instructions
- Salmon Preparation: Extract salmon fillets from refrigeration and season uniformly with kosher salt, allowing them to approach room temperature.
- Poaching Liquid Setup: Combine water and white wine in a large, high-sided pan, incorporating fresh dill sprigs and thinly sliced garlic to create an aromatic poaching environment.
- Liquid Activation: Position pan over medium heat, bringing the liquid to a gentle simmer with delicate bubbles emerging around the edges, maintaining a temperature just below boiling.
- Salmon Immersion: Gently lower salmon fillets into the simmering liquid, positioning them skin-side down and garnishing each with a vibrant lemon slice to enhance flavor profile.
- Cooking Process: Cover pan with a tight-fitting lid, allowing salmon to poach for 5-10 minutes until fish becomes translucent and effortlessly flakes with minimal fork pressure.
- Sauce Composition: Simultaneously whisk Greek yogurt with lemon juice, Dijon mustard, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and black pepper, incorporating finely chopped dill and grated garlic until achieving a smooth, herbaceous consistency.
- Plating and Presentation: Transfer poached salmon to serving plates, artfully drizzling the herbed yogurt sauce over the fish or presenting it as an accompaniment, creating a visually appealing and flavorful dish.
Notes
- Precise Poaching Technique: Monitor liquid temperature carefully to maintain a gentle simmer, preventing tough or overcooked salmon by avoiding rapid boiling.
- Fish Freshness Matters: Select high-quality, fresh salmon fillets with firm flesh and minimal odor for the most delicate and flavorful poaching results.
- Temperature Timing: Check salmon doneness by gently pressing the fish; it should flake easily and appear opaque with a translucent center for perfect moisture and texture.
- Sauce Balancing Tip: Adjust yogurt sauce seasoning gradually, tasting as you blend to ensure a harmonious mix of tangy, herbal, and creamy flavors that complement the delicate salmon.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Poaching
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg