Poached hearts of palm in lemon-dill broth are the vegan fish dinner that surprises everyone — tender cylinders out of a white-wine poaching liquid brightened with capers and fresh dill. On the table in 23 minutes, start to finish.
Craving the delicate, flaky texture of a beautiful poached fish dish without the fish? You’ve found it! This recipe transforms humble hearts of palm into an elegant main course. Gently simmered in a bright, savory broth of white wine, lemon, and dill, this dish is astonishingly simple to prepare but delivers a sophisticated flavor that’s perfect for a special weeknight dinner or impressing guests. You won’t believe how delicious plant-based seafood can be!
Ingredients
• PREP: 10 minutes | COOK: 13 minutes | YIELD: 4 servings
• 1½ cups / 360 ml (12.2 fl oz) low-sodium vegetable broth
• ½ cup / 120 ml (4.1 fl oz) dry white wine (like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
• 1 heaping tsp / 7-8 ml (0.3 fl oz) finely chopped shallots
• ½ tsp / 2.5 ml (0.1 fl oz) Dijon mustard
• 1 Tbsp / 15 ml capers, drained
• 2 cans (14 oz / 400 g each) whole hearts of palm, drained and rinsed
• Pinch each sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 Tbsp / 15 ml fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp / 5 ml finely chopped fresh dill
Instructions
1. In a large skillet or sauté pan, whisk together the vegetable broth, white wine, shallots, Dijon mustard, and capers. Bring the mixture to a lively simmer over medium-high heat.
2. Gently place the whole hearts of palm into the simmering broth. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer, cover the pan, and cook for 8-10 minutes, allowing the hearts of palm to heat through and absorb the flavors.
3. Using tongs, carefully transfer the hearts of palm to a plate and cover to keep warm. Increase the heat for the broth to medium-high and bring to a vigorous simmer for about 3 minutes to reduce and concentrate the sauce slightly.
4. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the fresh lemon juice and chopped dill. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if desired.
5. To serve, divide the hearts of palm among four shallow bowls. Ladle the warm broth around them and garnish with an extra sprig of fresh dill.
Nutritional Information
• (per serving)
• Calories: 85 | Protein: 4 g | Carbs: 9 g | Total Fat: 1 g | Saturated Fat: 0 g | Trans Fat: 0 g | Fiber: 4 g | Sodium: 345 mg | Cholesterol: 0 mg
Pro Tips
• For a flakier, more fish-like texture, gently press the warm hearts of palm with the back of a fork before serving to encourage them to separate slightly.
• Serve over creamy polenta, fluffy quinoa, or orzo to soak up every last drop of the incredible lemon-dill broth.
• For a richer, creamier sauce, whisk in 1 tablespoon (15 ml / 0.5 fl oz) of vegan butter or a splash of full-fat coconut milk after you remove the pan from the heat.
• Make it a one-pan meal by adding a handful of fresh spinach or tender asparagus spears to the skillet during the last 3-4 minutes of cooking.
FAQ
Q: Can I make this poached hearts of palm recipe without wine
A: Absolutely. For an alcohol-free version, simply replace the ½ cup of dry white wine with an equal amount of low-sodium vegetable broth. To replicate the acidity the wine provides, add an extra teaspoon of fresh lemon juice or a splash of white wine vinegar at the end of cooking.
Q: How can I add more protein to this vegetarian dish
A: To make this a more protein-rich meal, you can serve the poached hearts of palm over a bed of high-protein grains like quinoa or freekeh. Another great option is to add a can of rinsed cannellini beans or chickpeas to the broth during the last 5 minutes of simmering.
Q: What’s the best way to store and reheat leftovers
A: Store any leftover hearts of palm and the broth together in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the dish in a saucepan over low heat until just heated through. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the hearts of palm rubbery.
Q: Can I use something other than hearts of palm
A: While hearts of palm provide the best flaky, fish-like texture, you could substitute them with canned artichoke hearts (quartered) or very firm tofu planks. Note that cooking times and final texture will vary. Artichoke hearts will be softer, while tofu will be firmer.
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Poached Hearts of Palm in Lemon-Dill Broth (Vegan Fish)
Ingredients
Method
- In a large skillet or sauté pan, whisk together the vegetable broth, white wine, shallots, Dijon mustard, and capers.
- Bring the mixture to a lively simmer over medium-high heat.
- Gently place the whole hearts of palm into the simmering broth.
- Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer, cover the pan, and cook for 8-10 minutes, allowing the hearts of palm to heat through and absorb the flavors.
- Using tongs, carefully transfer the hearts of palm to a plate and cover to keep warm. Increase the heat for the broth to medium-high and bring to a vigorous simmer for about 3 minutes to reduce and concentrate the sauce slightly.
- Remove the pan from the heat.
- Stir in the fresh lemon juice and chopped dill.
- Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if desired.
- To serve, divide the hearts of palm among four shallow bowls. Ladle the warm broth around them and garnish with an extra sprig of fresh dill.
