Poaching may not be the most popular of cooking methods for salmon, but it's incredibly versatile. Here, we flake the cooked fish into an easy, hearty salad with plump cranberry beans and peppery arugula.
Ingredients
1 pound (450g) dried cranberry beans (see note)
1 medium yellow onion, halved
2 medium cloves garlic
2 whole stalks celery, plus 2 finely diced stalks, divided
1 carrot, peeled
2 bay leaves, divided
Kosher salt
8 ounces (225g) skinless, boneless salmon fillet
1 lemon, halved and juiced, plus 4 tablespoons (60ml) fresh juice from 1 lemon
1/2 cup (120ml) extra-virgin olive oil
1 small shallot, minced
1 tablespoon (10g) dill, minced
Freshly ground black pepper
1 medium (8-ounce; 225g) fennel bulb, diced, fennel stalks and fronds reserved for another use
8 ounces arugula (225g; 2 loosely packed quarts)
Step by step
For the Beans (see note): In a large bowl, cover beans by at least 4 inches water and let soak overnight. The next day, drain, transfer beans to a large pot, and cover with at least 2 inches of fresh cold water. Add halved onion, garlic, 1 celery stalk, carrot, and 1 bay leaf to pot. Season with salt. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat, then lower heat to maintain gentle simmer. Cook until beans are fully tender, about 45 minutes. (Bean cooking time will vary depending on age and exact type of bean; taste every 5 minutes until done.) Set aside to cool.
Meanwhile, combine salmon in a large saucepan with enough cold water to cover. Add 1 stalk celery, remaining 1 bay leaf, and lemon halves with their juice. Heat over medium heat until water registers 170°F on an instant-read thermometer (or until water is at just below a bare simmer, if you don't have a thermometer), then adjust heat to maintain temperature. Cook until salmon is 115 to 120°F in the center, about 20 minutes. (If you don't have a thermometer, salmon should flake easily when done.) Drain salmon, discard aromatics, and let cool in refrigerator.
Using your fingers, flake salmon into large pieces. In a large bowl, whisk together remaining 4 tablespoons lemon juice, olive oil, shallot, and dill. Season with salt and pepper. Add cooled and drained beans, diced celery, diced fennel, and arugula and toss well. Add salmon, season with salt and pepper, and toss gently to combine. Serve right away.
