RILLETTES OF SALMON

Steps:

• 1. It's the holidays, and it's time for cooking... In a large non-reactive bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, dijon mustard, olive oil, worcestershire, hot pepper sauce, capers, caper juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Chef's Note: Non-reactive would be something like glass, or stainless steel.
• 2. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of chives and then taste for seasoning. Cover the bowl, and refrigerate until needed. Make Ahead Tip: If you're got a lot to do, this will keep in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
• 3. Chef's Note: Let me be picky here... Ocean caught salmon is so much better than farm raised for too many reason to mention here. If you can, get ocean-fresh salmon. Chef's Note: Remember that fresh ocean fish should not smell fishy, it should smell salty, like the ocean. If your salmon smells fishy... move on to another fishmonger. Pikes Market offers some of the freshest fish in the Seattle area... and they even throw the fish at you !!!
• 4. Place the salmon on a plate, remove any pin bones, and season well (on both sides) with the remaining salt and pepper. Let rest for about 5 minutes.
• 5. Add the water and remaining lemon juice to a skillet, and bring the liquid up to a light boil. The liquid in the pan should be about 3/4 inches deep. Chef's Note: If you have any spare dill springs, or a couple of peppercorns, you'll want throw them into the poaching liquid.
• 6. Put the salmon in skillet, and bring the water to a slow simmer. Tightly cover the pan, and poach the salmon until medium rare, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the salmon to a plate and place it in the refrigerator to cool. Discard the poaching liquid.
• 7. When the salmon is cool, about 30 minutes, check for any missed pin bones, and then crumble the poached salmon and the smoked salmon into the sauce mixture made in steps 1 & 2. Lightly mix until incorporated.
• 8. Plate/Present Place in a decorative serving bowl, and garnish with the lemon zest, and the remaining tablespoon of chives. Allow to cool in the refrigerator for about 1 hour before setting out to serve.
• 9. I like to serve this in one of two ways: 1. Place the bowl of Rillettes of Salmon on a side board along with some toast triangles, or toasted pieces of crostini. 2. Prepare a batch of pate brisee, and when out of the oven, cut into festive holiday shapes with some cookie cutters. Then place a dollop of the Rillettes of Salmon on top, and garnish with a sprig of dill, or thinly sliced red bell pepper.