Poached Salmon In Aspic

Serves: 2

Fatima Kris

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

47

Spice

46

Sweetness

45

Sourness

42

mins

Prep time (avg)

5.2

Difficulty

Ingredients:

1 tsp

Salt

1 cup

Water (cold)

Directions:

1

Poach salmon: Wash salmon inside and out and sprinkle inside with salt

2

Unfold 1 piece of cheesecloth on top of the other to make a double layer, then wrap fish snugly in it and tie ends (close to fish) with kitchen string

3

Place on poacher rack in poacher, then straddle poacher across 2 burners on stovetop

4

Add 6 quarts cold water (it should cover fish by 1 inch), lemon juice, vegetables, herbs, and peppercorns

5

Bring to a boil, partially covered, over high heat (this will take about 25 minutes; fish will register 145°F on an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of fish)

6

Transfer poacher to a metal rack and cool fish in broth, uncovered, 30 minutes

7

Then chill fish in poacher (do not pour off broth), uncovered, at least 8 hours

8

Wash salmon inside and out and sprinkle inside with salt

9

Unfold 1 piece of cheesecloth on top of the other to make a double layer, then wrap fish snugly in it and tie ends (close to fish) with kitchen string

10

Place on poacher rack in poacher, then straddle poacher across 2 burners on stovetop

11

Add 6 quarts cold water (it should cover fish by 1 inch), lemon juice, vegetables, herbs, and peppercorns

12

Bring to a boil, partially covered, over high heat (this will take about 25 minutes; fish will register 145°F on an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of fish)

13

Transfer poacher to a metal rack and cool fish in broth, uncovered, 30 minutes

14

Then chill fish in poacher (do not pour off broth), uncovered, at least 8 hours

15

Reduce broth for aspic: Lift fish on poacher rack out of broth and drain well, then transfer from rack to a large shallow baking pan and chill

16

Pour broth through a sieve into a large bowl

17

Transfer 8 cups broth to a 4-quart heavy pot, reserving remainder for another use

18

Add white wine, Madeira, thyme sprig, and salt and boil until reduced to 5 cups, 30 to 40 minutes

19

Cool 20 minutes

20

Lift fish on poacher rack out of broth and drain well, then transfer from rack to a large shallow baking pan and chill

21

Pour broth through a sieve into a large bowl

22

Transfer 8 cups broth to a 4-quart heavy pot, reserving remainder for another use

23

Add white wine, Madeira, thyme sprig, and salt and boil until reduced to 5 cups, 30 to 40 minutes

24

Cool 20 minutes

25

Prepare salmon for glazing: Wash reserved leek leaves and chopped leeks in a bowl of cold water, then lift out and drain well

26

Cut leaves into decorative strips

27

Blanch strips in a saucepan of boiling water 1 minute, then transfer to a bowl of ice and cold water

28

Drain and pat dry

29

Remove strings from cheesecloth, then open cheesecloth but don't remove it

30

Remove fatty strip and small bones (they look like a comb) from spine of fish from head to tail

31

Trim off any fat from edges of belly

32

Carefully remove bony section under gills, then remove skin and dark flesh from visible side (top) of fish by gently scraping with a small sharp knife

33

Using the cheesecloth, roll fish over onto platter and remove bony section under gills, then remove skin and dark flesh from other side of fish

34

Wipe platter clean, then cover fish with dampened paper towels and chill until aspic is ready

35

Wash reserved leek leaves and chopped leeks in a bowl of cold water, then lift out and drain well

36

Cut leaves into decorative strips

37

Blanch strips in a saucepan of boiling water 1 minute, then transfer to a bowl of ice and cold water

38

Drain and pat dry

39

Remove strings from cheesecloth, then open cheesecloth but don't remove it

40

Remove fatty strip and small bones (they look like a comb) from spine of fish from head to tail

41

Trim off any fat from edges of belly

42

Carefully remove bony section under gills, then remove skin and dark flesh from visible side (top) of fish by gently scraping with a small sharp knife

43

Using the cheesecloth, roll fish over onto platter and remove bony section under gills, then remove skin and dark flesh from other side of fish

44

Wipe platter clean, then cover fish with dampened paper towels and chill until aspic is ready

45

Clarify broth (using egg whites and shells) and make aspic: Whisk together reduced broth, chopped leek, carrot, celery, and egg whites and shells in a 4- to 6-quart heavy pot

46

Bring to a boil, whisking constantly, then reduce heat and cook at a bare simmer, undisturbed, over low heat 30 minutes

47

Ladle broth through sieve lined with a double thickness of dampened paper towels set over a 1-quart glass measure, then press firmly on solids

48

Soften gelatin in cold water in a 1-quart saucepan 1 minute

49

Add 3 cups broth and simmer, stirring, until gelatin is dissolved, about 2 minutes

50

Whisk together reduced broth, chopped leek, carrot, celery, and egg whites and shells in a 4- to 6-quart heavy pot

51

Bring to a boil, whisking constantly, then reduce heat and cook at a bare simmer, undisturbed, over low heat 30 minutes

52

Ladle broth through sieve lined with a double thickness of dampened paper towels set over a 1-quart glass measure, then press firmly on solids

53

Soften gelatin in cold water in a 1-quart saucepan 1 minute

54

Add 3 cups broth and simmer, stirring, until gelatin is dissolved, about 2 minutes

55

Glaze salmon with aspic: Ladle 2/3 cup aspic into a metal bowl set in a larger bowl of ice and cold water

56

Let stand, stirring occasionally, just until aspic is the consistency of raw egg white

57

Remove bowl from ice water and spoon a thin layer of aspic over fish, then chill fish until aspic is set, about 10 minutes

58

Arrange leek garnish on fish and glaze fish with more aspic

59

Chill fish, uncovered, until ready to serve

60

Pour remaining aspic into a 13- by 9-inch baking dish and chill until firm, about 1 hour

61

Cut into 1/2-inch cubes, then arrange cubes around salmon

62

Ladle 2/3 cup aspic into a metal bowl set in a larger bowl of ice and cold water

63

Let stand, stirring occasionally, just until aspic is the consistency of raw egg white

64

Remove bowl from ice water and spoon a thin layer of aspic over fish, then chill fish until aspic is set, about 10 minutes

65

Arrange leek garnish on fish and glaze fish with more aspic

66

Chill fish, uncovered, until ready to serve

67

Pour remaining aspic into a 13- by 9-inch baking dish and chill until firm, about 1 hour

68

Cut into 1/2-inch cubes, then arrange cubes around salmon