We eat salmon once a week, so I am always trying new ways to prepare it. This dish was definitely inspired by Persian food, which our family loves. The creamy dill yogurt sauce has a cool tang and freshness with the salmon. I poach the salmon in this recipe, which is a nice way to keep the fish moist and tender. I like to serve this salmon laying on a bed of Herbed Couscous with Lentils, another recipe I created inspired by Persian food.
You need Greek yogurt (Greek yogurt is thicker than normal yogurt which you need since you are adding lemon juice; normal yogurt will make your sauce too thin) lemon juice, garlic, and fresh dill (dried dill will work in a pinch). You can keep the skin on the salmon, since once it is poached the skin will just slid right off.
Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon, save the lemon rinds for your poaching liquid.
Combine 1/2 cup of yogurt, lemon juice, and salt and pepper in a small bowl.
Add 1 clove of crushed garlic.
Remove the large stems from the dill, and finely chop the dill. Save the stems to throw in the poaching liquid with the salmon. Save two small sprigs of dill for garnish.
Ready to whisk or stir together.
If your a perfectionist, transfer the sauce to a smaller bowl. I like to make the sauce a day or at least a couple hours ahead of time, as the flavor will just get better over time.
In a saucepan add the lemon rinds and the leftover dill stems. Bring the water to a boil.
Once the water is simmering, gently place your salmon in, cover and let simmer for 10 minutes, or until salmon is cooked through.
Carefully remove salmon from the pan and dry on paper towels. If the salmon has skin, turn the salmon on its side and use a knife to gently brush off the skin.
Add salt and pepper to your salmon. Garnish with yogurt sauce and a sprig of dill.
I highly recommend serving the salmon on this Herbed Couscous with Lentils…. they were destined to be together.
POACHED SALMON WITH DILL YOGURT SAUCE RECIPE
Serves: 2 people
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
INGredients
Two 5-6 ounce pieces of salmon
1/2 cup Greek yogurt (if you do not have Greek Yogurt, simply zest the lemon, instead of juicing it, so your sauce will not be too thin)
1 tablespoon lemon juice ( juice of 1 lemon)
1 clove of garlic, minced
2 tablespoons fresh dill, minced (or 2 teaspoons dried dill)
PREPARATION
Make yogurt sauce first so you can throw the lemon rinds into the poaching liquid. Combine the yogurt, lemon juice, salt and pepper, garlic and dill in a small bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir till smooth. (The yogurt sauce only gets better over time, so make it in advance if possible.)
Add water to a pan, enough water to cover the fish. Add the lemon rinds and any leftover fresh dill stems. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, then add the fish, and cover. (If you have white wine open you can splash some wine in the water as well.)
Let simmer for 10 minutes or until till cooked through.
Carefully remove each salmon piece and place on paper towels to dry. If the salmon has skin, you can easily peel it off now.
Sprinkle salt and pepper on salmon.Serve with the yogurt sauce. Garnish with a sprig of dill. Salmon can be served hot, warm, or cold.
Note: This Poached Salmon is very refreshing when served on the my Herbed Couscous with Lentils.