Entrees don't get much healthier than poached salmon. This fish provides essential vitamins and minerals, lots of protein, and beneficial unsaturated fats with minimal saturated fat, cholesterol and calories. Poaching on the stovetop is a health-conscious way to prepare the food, as it doesn't add calories from cooking fat. Poaching is also quick and simple, and results in a meal with natural flavors that aren't overshadowed by cooking fats, caramelization or heavy-handed seasonings.
Thaw frozen salmon before poaching it so it cooks quickly and evenly.
Pat the salmon fillets or steaks dry with paper towels, then season the fish with salt and pepper to taste.
Place a skillet that will snugly fit the salmon pieces over medium-high heat on the stove. Pour in about 1/4 to 1 cup of red or white wine, depending on how strong a wine flavor you want to impart. Add enough water to bring the total liquid to about 2 cups.
Add a few squeezes of fresh citrus juice or a bit of citrus zest, along with herbs, such as rosemary, dill, thyme, fennel, tarragon, basil or marjoram. If you'd like, add aromatics like chopped celery and carrots; chopped onion, shallot or garlic; and leeks or scallions. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat to low so the liquid just barely simmers. Place the cover on the skillet and simmer for about five minutes.
Place the salmon in the pan in a single layer. If you have fillets with skin, place them skin-side down. Recover the pan and poach fillets for about 3 1/2 minutes or steaks for about 4 1/2 minutes.
Turn the cuts of salmon carefully with a broad spatula. Poach the salmon for another three minutes or so as needed to bring it to 145 degrees Fahrenheit at the middle of the thickest part on an instant-read thermometer. When it's done, its flesh flakes easily and is entirely opaque.