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Poached Salmon
with Cucumber Dill Mayonnaise

For two centuries, the Fearrington farm has been part of the landscape between Chapel Hill and Pittsboro. At the center of the village is The Fearrington House, a place dedicated to the five C's of hospitality - Character, Courtesy, Calm, Charm, and Cuisine. Sophisticated southern cooking is the order of the day.

Ingredients

  • 4-pound fresh salmon, boned and skinned 

  • 4 bay leaves 

  • 1 lemon, sliced 

  • 6 to 7 sprigs fresh thyme 

  • 4 stalks celery, chopped 

  • 1 onion, sliced 

  • 1/ 4 teaspoon vegetable oil 

  • 1 teaspoon salt 

  • 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns 

  • Cucumber Dill Mayonnaise (see below)

Cucumber Dill Mayonnaise 

  • 1/2 cup cucumber, peeled, seeded, and finely chopped 

  • Salt to taste 

  • 1 cup mayonnaise, preferably homemade 

  • 1/2 cup sour cream 

  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice 

  • Dash of Tabasco Sauce 

  • 4 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

Salt the cucumber and let it drain in a colander for about 30 minutes. Pat dry with absorbent towels. Blend with the rest of the ingredients and chill for several hours before serving. Makes 1 3 / 4 cups.

Method

  1. Cut the salmon into six individual portions. 
  2. Fill a large roasting pan with 3 to 4 quarts water, making certain the pan is large enough to hold the salmon. 
  3. Add the bay leaves, lemon, thyme, celery, onion, oil, salt, and peppercorns. Bring to a boil. 
  4. Poach the salmon for about 15 minutes over moderate heat sufficient to keep the stock at a simmer. 
  5. Cool the salmon in the cooking liquid, drain on absorbent towels, and refrigerate. 
  6. To serve, garnish each portion with a tablespoon of Cucumber Dill Mayonnaise and pass extra sauce in a separate container. Serves 6.

Note: A good rule of thumb to use in poaching the salmon is to cook the fish 5 minutes per inch of thickness. For example, a 3 inch thick salmon would need to be poached for 15 minutes.

About The Author

JAMES STROMAN is a veteran inn-goer and prize-winning gourmet. He has served as president of his own food manufacturing firm and has authored several cookbooks, including Down Home Texas Cooking, Dining Out from Home, From Texas Kitchens, Prize Recipes from Great Restaurants-The Western States, and Prize Recipes from Great Restaurants-The Southern States. This recipe is excerpted with permission from The Great Country Inns of America Cookbook, 3rd Edition by James Stroman. ©1999. Published by Adams Media Corporation, www.adamsmedia.com 

Recipe from:  Fearrington House 
2000 Fearrington Village Center, Pittsboro, 
North Carolina 28717   (919) 542-2121

 

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