Name: Slow-Cooker Poached Salmon with Creamy Chipotle Chile Sauce
Total time: 2 h
Ingredients: 1 lime , sliced ¼ inch thick, plus 1 tablespoon lime juice; 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro , stems reserved; 1/4 cup dry white wine; 4 (6- to 8-ounce) skin-on salmon fillets , 1 to 1½ inches thick; Salt and pepper; 1/4 cup mayonnaise; 1/4 cup sour cream; 2 teaspoons minced canned chipotle chile in adobo sauce; 1 garlic clove , minced

Why This Recipe Works

A slow cooker is the perfect vehicle for poaching salmon, as it requires less monitoring than the classic stovetop method but yields comparable results with less chance of overcooking. To ensure success, we came up with a few tried-and-true techniques: A foil sling helped us with ease of removal once the fish was done, and elevating the fish on herb stems and citrus slices gave us more even cooking throughout. This salmon dish uses its aromatics in two ways: as a base to elevate the fish and as a component in the final sauce.

Before You Begin

You will need an oval slow cooker for this recipe. Check the salmon's temperature after 1 hour of cooking and continue to monitor until it registers 135 degrees. Look for salmon fillets of similar thickness to ensure that they cook at the same rate. Leave the skin on the salmon to keep the bottom of the fillets from overcooking and to make it easier to skin the fillets once done.

Instructions

Fold sheet of aluminum foil into 12 by 9-inch sling; press widthwise into slow cooker. Arrange lime slices in single layer in bottom of prepared slow cooker. Scatter cilantro stems over lime slices. Add wine to slow cooker, then add water until liquid level is even with lime slices (about ¼ cup). Season salmon with salt and pepper; arrange skin side down in even layer on top of cilantro stems. Cover and cook until salmon is opaque throughout when checked with tip of paring knife and registers 135 degrees (for medium), 1 to 2 hours on low.

Whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, chipotle, garlic, lime juice, and minced cilantro together in bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Using sling, transfer salmon to baking sheet. Gently lift and tilt fillets with spatula to remove cilantro stems and lime slices; transfer to serving dish. Discard poaching liquid and remove any white albumin from salmon. Serve with sauce.