Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Poached Salmon with Asaparagus and Citrus Vinaigrette


I can feel it in the air, spring is on its way!  The sun is rising earlier as well as setting later, the birds are chirping happily in the warmer mornings while they search for their plump worms, and the warmer days are inviting us outdoors.  Not that we can really complain as our cold has been far easier than the majority of the country, but for a solar powered person such as myself these warm days of spring are eagerly anticipated.

With the warmer temps and dryer days "the boys", Kona and Tavo, are also eager to feel the wind in their faces and stretch their little limbs.  After our recent rains the fields are drying out (mostly) and I am more willing to let them run free in the park without the fear of having to give them a full mud-removing bath afterwards.  Closing the gates at the baseball field just up the street from our house I'm able to let the little guys run free, and run they do!

Kona leaps from the car with the excitement of a hungry hunting dog.  Unleashed Kona, the 7 lb Maltese, makes for a small flock of bird far off in the field turning on a dime as they easily fly away.  He runs directly through the only muddy puddle in the field and continues on through the red dirt infield to make his way back to us racing on his no longer white paws.

Tavo, my diva, delicately skirts the mud puddle and runs at a slow jog so as not to muss his hair.  He takes a few laps then settles himself sedately at my feet, happy to watch his brother continue to tear around the field.

Today our neighbor Lizzy joined us.  Some of you may remember little Elizabeth from her debut on our blog about 4 months ago, a wee little pup at the time, she has grown into a lovely young lady.  She and Tavo enjoyed more of the diva life today as they watched crazy Kona run his circles.


Home from the park with rumbling stomachs, the boys chewed on a beef stick while I luxuriated in something a bit more to my taste.  Having poached the salmon and asparagus the evening prior, this salad was a breeze to put together.  Refreshing and nutritious, the orange essence brought a brightness to our afternoon in addition to the shining sun!




Poached Salmon with Asparagus and Orange Vinaigrette
adapted from Power Foods

Serves 3-4

1 skin-on wild Alaskan salmon fillet (about 1 1/2 lbs and 1 inch thick)
1/2 tsp finely grated lemon zest
1/3 cup plus 2 Tbs lemon juice
1 bunch medium-thick asparagus
3-5 scallions
1/2 tsp finely grated orange zest
2 Tbs freshly squeezed orange juice
2 tsp champagne vinegar
2-3 tbs extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and Pepper to taste
4 cups washed organic spinach

Fill a saucepan wide enough to hold the salmon with 2-3 inches of cold water.  Stir in 1/3 cup lemon juice and 2 tsp salt.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce the heat to a simmer and gently place the salmon in the pan, skin side down.  Reduce the heat and cook at a bare simmer until the salmon is just opaque throughout, 10 - 12 minutes.  Transfer to a plate.  Cover loosely with a piece of parchment paper to prevent the surface from drying, let cool 20 to 30 minutes.  Once cool, the slamon can be refrigerated, covered tightly with plastic wrap for up to 2 days.

Bring a pot of water to a boil and prepare an ice bath.  Blanch the asparagus until crisp-tender and the color brightens, 1 - 2 minutes minutes.  With a slotted spoon, immediately transfer the asparagus to the ice-water bath.  Once cool, drain and pat dry.

Combine 2 sliced or minced scallions, lemon and orange zests, 2 Tbs lemon juice, orange juice, vinegar and 1/4 tsp of salt and pepper to taste in a small bowl.  Gradually whisk in the olive oil until emulsified.

Arrange the spinach on 3-4 plates, topping with the asparagus.  Break the salmon into pieces and arrange on top of the spinach.  Drizzle with the vinaigrette and garish with remaining sliced scallions.  Enjoy!

Note:  This salad is so versatile... add additional veggies to your taste.  Salad may be prepared when salmon is warm, room temp or chilled!  Perfect to have on hand for a quick meal.

29 comments:

  1. Just beautiful, Kim! And that salmon looks so divine! I've never been much of a poacher (haha). Perhaps it was the technique that has me shying from it. However, this recipe is making me change my mind! Hooray for it being March; that means it's that much closer to my birthday in April :-)

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  2. Absolutely love your pups- loved the pics! and lizzy is so cute! loved the citrus vinaigrette with asparagus and spinach topping-

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  3. Oh beautiful! The pups are soooo sweet, and that salmon looks dee-vooon!

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  4. It's a gorgeous salad. Spring still feels a long way off here, we had a frigid day yesterday and I am so tired of it. Your salad might cheer me up a bit, though!

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  5. That salmon looks delicious, and your puppy action photos are so cute!

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  6. Kim, that salad is making my mouth water! We love salmon and really miss living on a coast as far as the sea food is concerned. This along with the bright, sunny vinaigrette would be extremely well received by my whole family.
    On a side note, your little puppies put a huge grin on my face every time you feature them. They are just darling :o)

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  7. That looks so great! What a wonderfully refreshing dish that looks like it is filled with delicious flavors! YUM

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  8. This looks so delicious - I love salmon! I'm craving warm weather now. Hopefully soon....

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  9. This dish screams Spring alright and it has a lot of my favorite ingredients. I think I'm ready for warmer weather to come, too, though I can't complain about today.

    Have a great weekend, Kim!

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  10. Your pups romping outside elicited a huge smile. I love salmon poached with orange so this brightened my morning - looks so bright and summery.

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  11. Kim, this salamon looks and sounds amazing! I love salmon and asparagus is my favorite vegetable! Your photos are beautiful as are those little pups of yours. Thanks for sharing!

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  12. I love you dogs! So cute! They remind me of my mom's bichon frises!

    Here are pics of her younger dog who reminds me of Kona. He's a riot.

    http://www.iplayinla.com/2010/05/indys-cali-vacation.html

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  13. What a beautiful, colorful and tasty dish, and dogs are just so cuteee...love your photos!!!

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  14. There you go again! Im happily reading wondering how amazing this salmon is going to be, agreeing with the sun shining and the birds singing, and then poof! Those adorable little two appear and Im just caught up in the cuteness!! Your neighbors pup is a cutie too! (ps - this salmon sounds delish!)

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  15. what a nice spring-like dish! I love salmon this way! What a nice and healthy meal!

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  16. Your pups, they make me smile. Your food, makes my mouth water. So light and refreshing, makes me want to head to the beach for some fresh seafood.

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  17. Ohhh, I like where you went with this! sounds amazing! Cannot wait to try. I absolutely love salmon and I think this recipe could easily be tried in the next day or two... I'm on a fish kick lately! :)

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  18. What a lovely, refreshing plate...and so fun to see the pups!

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  19. Your salad is gorgeous and speaks of Spring, but it's snowing again here, so the salad gives me hope, it might be Spring one Day here;)

    Your pups look so cute, when they are running, ears flapping in the breeze, ans smiling;) Great pics!

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  20. What a gorgeous salad, it's so colorful and refreshing looking. :) The salmon looks so good!

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  21. You have captured the beauty of this salad and if I may say so it looks like the best salad ever. There is a special place for salmon in my heart and this sounds so good.

    I hope you are having a good weekend sweetheart!

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  22. Awww.. the dogs are beautiful and great photos of mid-air. Your salmon dish looks wonderful I'm always on the look out for a new salmon dish.

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  23. You really were able to capture the personality of the dogs with your pictures. Even if I hadn't had those, I could see them in my mind from your description. It's cool to see that all of nature shares the joy of spring.

    The salmon and asparagus dish is superb. I love the poaching (something I'm ashamed to say I've never tried).

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  24. Looks so fresh and delicious!

    Also, love the pictures of the pups. :)

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  25. Your dogs look like they were having a lovely time! They are adorable - I'm not surprised they get propositioned from time to time :D

    Lovely Spring time dish. Roll on asparagus season.

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  26. Your dogs look so incredibly happy! It's truly a wonderful thing when you see dogs smile :-) Oh, and I'm LOVING your salmon and asparagus recipe!! This makes me CRAVE spring, sunshine, warm weather and dinners on my deck!

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  27. I just love salmon, although I've never tried to poach it myself. This dish is def making me want to try it out. AND I looooooove your dogs! I have a maltese too - named Stormy. She's basically my child ;)

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  28. Served this delightful salmon salad yesterday. My husband loved it! I am going to make it again today. Thanks for another great recipe.

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  29. Nancy, thanks for the comment! I'm so happy that you all liked it, and enough to make it again!! This is one my whole family likes too!!

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