Poached Arctic Char with Basil-Tarragon Mayonnaise

A elegant dish featuring tender poached arctic char served with homemade basil-tarragon mayonnaise and crisp asparagus. The delicate fish is perfectly complemented by the herb-infused mayo and finished with a drizzle of olive oil and flaky sea salt.

6 servings
33 min

Ingredients

  • 2 whole large egg yolks*
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon mustard powder
  • ¼ cup fresh basil leaves
  • ¼ cup fresh tarragon leaves plus 2 sprigs
  • ¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil plus more for serving
  • 1 clove garlic clove, smashed
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt plus more
  • 6 piece 6-ounce arctic char steaks, each about 1 1/4" thick
  • 2 bunches bunches asparagus (about 1 1/2 pounds), trimmed
  • 1 to taste Flaky sea salt (such as Maldon)

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Blend egg yolks, lemon juice, and mustard powder in a blender. Add basil and 1/4 cup tarragon. With machine running, drizzle in 3/4 cup oil; blend until smooth. Transfer mayonnaise to a small bowl, cover, and chill.

    10 min

  2. 2.

    Combine tarragon sprigs, garlic, 2 tablespoons kosher salt, and 6 cups water in a large deep, lidded skillet and bring to a boil. Add fish, cover, and remove skillet from heat. Let stand until fish is just opaque in the center, 6-8 minutes.

    15 min

  3. 3.

    Meanwhile, cook asparagus in a large pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes; drain

    3 min

  4. 4.

    Serve fish with asparagus; top with mayonnaise, drizzle with some oil, and sprinkle with sea salt.

    5 min

  5. 5.

    DO AHEAD: Mayonnaise can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.

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