Categories: Casseroles, Seafood, Masterchefs, New york, Tfs 
      Yield: 8 servings 
  
      1 x  Court Bouillon ** 
 
-----------------------------------SALMON----------------------------------- 
    3/4 lb Salmon, fillets or steaks, 
           -- fresh, trimmed, skin on 
      1 tb Salt, sea 
    1/2 ts Peppercorns, whole 
      1 sm Chili, dried 
      1 c  Butter, unsalted, softened 
      1 tb Armagnac 
    3/4 lb Salmon, smoked, trimmed, and 
           -- cut into shreds 
      4 oz Roe, salmon 
 
--------------------------------TOAST STRIPS-------------------------------- 
           Oil, olive 
      1 ea Bread, white, loaf, sliced 
           -- 3/4-inch thick, crusts 
           -- trimmed, each slice cut 
           -- into 3 long strips 
  
       ** See recipe for Court Bouillon. 
   
       Bring the Court Bouillon to a boil in a skillet.  Add the salmon 
  and lower the heat to simmer.  Place a sheet of buttered parchment 
  paper or aluminum foil, buttered side down, over the salmon.  Poach 
  until the fish is just opaque in the center, (about 8 minutes), or 
  about 10 minutes per inch of thickness; DO NOT OVERCOOK.  Remove from 
  the heat and cool salmon completely in the broth. 
   
       To make up a seasoning mixture, use a small spice or coffee mill 
  to grind the sea salt, 1/2 teaspoon peppercorns and chili. 
   
       Drain the poached salmon, remove its skin, and cut it into 
  1/2-inch pieces.  Place the salmon pieces, butter, Armagnac and a 
  pinch of the seasoning mixture into a processor and blend it all into 
  a very smooth puree.  Add the shredded smoked salmon to the processor 
  and process with rapid on and off pulses just until the mixture is 
  blended.  There should be visible shreds of smoked salmon.  Transfer 
  the mixture to a mixing bowl. 
   
       Gently fold salmon roe into the mixture until blended, taking 
  care not to crush the eggs.  Adjust the seasoning.  Spoon mixture into 
  a 4-cup souffle dish, straight-sided gratin dish, or casserole, 
  lightly tapping mold on towel lined work surface to eliminate any air 
  bubbles.  Cover the dish with a plastic wrap and chill.  (The Court 
  Bouillon can be prepared 1 or 2 days ahead.) 
   
  For Toast Strips: 
  ================= 
   
       Preheat oven to 325 F. Rub a baking sheet with a thin film of 
  olive oil.  Arrange the bread strips on the baking sheet and bake them 
  on the center rack of the oven, without turning, until lightly golden 
  (15 to 20 minutes.) 
   
       Remove the rillettes from the refrigerator 20 minutes before 
  serving.  Dip the serving spoon in cold water and scoop onto cool 
  plates.  Serve with warm toast strips. 
       Source:  New York's Master Chefs, Bon Appetit Magazine 
       :  Written by Richard Sax, Photographs by Nancy McFarland 
       :  The Knapp Press, Los Angeles, 1985 
   
       Chef:  Seppi Renggli, The Four Seasons Restaurant, New York 
   
       Owners:  Tom Margittai, and Paul Kovi 
       Pastry:  Bruno Comin