Poached Salmon with Irish Butter Sauce

5 from 1 vote

Wild caught salmon is gently poached in salted water then topped with a lemony butter sauce. The salmon and sauce can be ready in about 20 minutes so that makes this a delicious, quick and easy meal for any night of the week.

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Irish

Keyword: salmon

Servings:

Calories: 394kcal

Author: Tricia

Ingredients

5 cups water
1 tablespoon salt
1 lb wild caught salmon fillets (about 4)

For the Irish Butter Sauce

2 large egg yolks
2 teaspoons cold water
½ cup butter, cut into 10-12 pieces
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions

Combine the water and salt and stir until dissolved. Place the salmon in a pan that's just large enough to put them in a single layer. Add enough water to barely cover the salmon. The idea is to use a minimum amount of water to preserve maximum flavor. If you need more water, stick with the ratios mentioned above. Discard any unused salt water.
Quickly bring the salted water to a boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a simmer and gently cook, uncovered, for 20 minutes.
While the salmon is cooking, prepare the butter sauce. Add the egg yolks and cold water to a small heavy-bottomed sauce pan. Whisk until blended. Cook, whisking constantly, over very low heat. Add a pat of butter and whisk continuously until melted, then add another. Repeat until all the butter is incorporated and the mixture is slightly thickened. If it starts to become too thick or "scrambles," remove the pan from the heat and add a few drops of cold water. Remove from the heat and add the lemon juice.
Pour the butter sauce into a small serving bowl and keep warm over hot, but not boiling water.
To serve, gently lift the salmon from the water. Remove the skin and plate the salmon. Serve with fresh greens, watercress or parsley. Drizzle with the Irish butter sauce and serve.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Irish Traditional Cooking.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Nutrition