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1
To make the poaching liquid, combine the water, wine, carrot, celery, onion, diced fennel, peppercorns, fennel seeds, thyme, and bay leaf in a large roasting pan on top of the stove over high heat.
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2
Stir in 3 tablespoons of the salt and bring to a boil.
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3
Lower the heat and simmer the liquid for 20 minutes.
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4
Remove it from the heat and allow the aromatics to infuse the poaching liquid for at least 1 hour.
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5
Heat the light olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat.
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6
Add the shallots and saute for 3 minutes, or until translucent.
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7
Add the carrot disks and saute for 1 minute.
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8
Stir in the cucumbers and saute for an additional 3 minutes, or just until the cucumbers begin to wilt.
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9
Stir in the dill and season with salt and pepper to taste.
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10
Remove the pan from the heat and set it aside.
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11
Bring the poaching liquid to a boil over high heat.
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12
Place the salmon in the poaching liquid and lower the heat to a simmer.
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13
Simmer the fish for about 15 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the salmon reads 130 degrees.
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14
Using two spatulas, lift the salmon from the poaching liquid and place it on a large, oval serving platter.
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15
Spoon the cucumber saute around the edge of the platter and spoon the Tomato-Herb Butter over the top of it.
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16
Serve family style.
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17
To make tomato-herb butter, combine the wine and shallots in a small nonreactive saucepan over medium heat.
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18
Bring the liquid to a simmer; then lower the heat and just barely simmer for about 7 minutes, or until the wine is reduced to 1 tablespoon.
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19
Slowly add the butter, a piece at a time, whisking until the butter is emulsified into the wine.
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20
Keep the saucepan over the heat only until the butter is completely melted.
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21
Whisking constantly, beat in the Tomato Fondue and fines herbes.
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22
Season to taste with salt and pepper.
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23
Serve lukewarm.
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24
(The butter can be made early in the day.
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25
When you reheat it, whisk it constantly, in the top half of a double boiler over boiling water.)