Poached Salmon with Artichoke Confit

An elegant dish combining tender poached salmon with artichokes confited in olive oil, served with a fresh spring salad of fava beans, peas, olives, and herbs. The gentle poaching method ensures perfectly cooked fish while the artichoke confit adds rich, complex flavors.

4 servings
54 min

Ingredients

  • 5 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, divided
  • 4 whole artichokes
  • 6 sprigs thyme
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 2 leaves bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
  • cups olive oil
  • ½ cup fresh fava beans
  • 1 to taste Kosher salt
  • ½ cup shelled fresh peas
  • ¾ cup green olives
  • ½ cup pea shoots
  • ½ cup mint leaves
  • 1 to taste black pepper
  • 4 sprigs flat-leaf parsley
  • 4 sprigs dill
  • 1 whole lemon
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
  • 1 to taste Kosher salt
  • 4 fillets skinless salmon fillets

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Add 3 tablespoon lemon juice to a large bowl of cold water. Working with 1 artichoke at a time, remove tough dark outer leaves. Using a serrated knife, trim top of artichoke to just above the heart. Trim stem, leaving about 1" intact. Using a paring knife or vegetable peeler, remove dark outer layer from stem. Halve artichoke lengthwise and scoop out choke with a spoon. Transfer artichoke to lemon water to prevent discoloration.

    15 min

  2. 2.

    Drain artichokes; pat dry. Cook with thyme, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, and oil in a large saucepan over medium heat until oil around artichokes is bubbling. Reduce heat and cook, turning artichokes occasionally, until stems are tender when pierced with a knife, 15-20 minutes; let cool in oil.

    20 min

  3. 3.

    Meanwhile, if using fresh fava beans, cook in a medium saucepan of boiling salted water until tender, about 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a colander set in a bowl of ice water. Drain and peel; place in a large bowl. (If using frozen fava beans, cook 2 minutes; do not peel.)

    4 min

  4. 4.

    Return water in saucepan to a boil; add peas and cook until tender, about 2 minutes. Drain; transfer to colander in ice water. Drain and add to bowl with fava beans.

    2 min

  5. 5.

    Using a slotted spoon, transfer artichokes to bowl with peas and fava beans. Add 1/4 cup artichoke cooking oil, olives, pea shoots, mint, and remaining 2 tablespoon lemon juice; toss and season with salt and pepper.

    5 min

  6. 6.

    Do Ahead: Artichokes can be poached 1 day ahead. Keep in oil; cover and chill.

  7. 7.

    Bring parsley, dill, lemon slices, lemon juice, wine, peppercorns, and 3 cups water to a simmer in a large saucepan over medium heat; season with salt. Add salmon; cover. Reduce heat and simmer gently until just opaque throughout, 6-8 minutes. Using a large spatula, remove salmon and lemon slices from poaching liquid. Serve salmon with artichoke salad and lemon slices.

    8 min