Whole poached salmon

[naxos]

Having a crowd for Thanksgiving and thinking about poaching a salmon in addition to the turkey.

I am looking for a good recipe ( I have a fish poacher) but have an electric stove and am looking for a not terribly expensive place to buy the fish.

[Pat]

It depends on whether you want farmed or not, but Costco usually has pretty affordable salmon.  I used to buy it there when I catered a holiday party for a friend for several years.  I would cook the salmon in my fish poacher and serve with a red pepper mayonnaise.

2-3 pounds salmon fillet, either cut into serving pieces or as a whole fillet

salt and pepper to taste 

1/2-3/4 cup dry white wine

water

3-4 lemon slices

1 bay leaf

several onion slices

several black peppercorns

 

In a fish poacher (or in a deep pot or steamer with rack) combine the wine 

with enough water to make a depth of about 2 inches (or enough to cover the 

fish, but not by a lot). Add the lemon, bay leaf, onion, and peppercorns. 

Bring just to a boil, then adjust to simmer. Put the fish on a rack and 

lower the rack into the poacher. Simmer gently, covered, about 10 minutes, 

or until the fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. (It's about 10 

minutes per inch of thickness for a whole fillet.) Serve with red pepper 

mayonnaise or other sauce(s).

The mayo recipe I would use comes from The Uncommon Gourmet cookbook (one of my favorite all-time cookbooks, just to give it a plug):

2 medium red peppers, roasted

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon snipped chives

generous shake cayenne pepper

1/2 teaspoon paprika

 

Puree the peppers until smooth and then combine with the rest of the ingredients.  Can be made 1 day ahead and refrigerated (though I don't personally think the chives hold up well if they go in ahead of time, so if I make this ahead, I stir in the chives shortly before serving).

[naxos]

Thank you,Pat.

I am looking for wild,not farm raised, and whole.

[Pat]

Thank you,Pat.

I am looking for wild,not farm raised, and whole.

It seems like getting a whole, wild salmon at this time of year might require a special order from one of the high end specialty places or possibly Whole Foods.  You could contact Traveler at Cold Country Salmon.  He's been active here in the past and even gave a demo at one of the picnics.   This is the schedule for their farmers' market dates.