SALMON AND RICE WRAPPED IN PASTRY WITH DILL SAUCE

Steps:

• For Salmon, Rice and Pastry: Bring medium saucepan of salted water to a boil.
• Add the rice; boil uncovered until just tender-- about 18 minutes.
• Drain.
• Melt butter in a heavy medium skillet over medium-low heat.
• Add leek and sautè until beginning to soften-- about 4 minutes.
• Add the mushrooms and cover the skillet and cook until mushrooms release their juices, stirring occasionally-- about 5 minutes.
• Uncover skillet, increase heat to medium-high and sautè until liquid evaporates-- about 3 minutes.
• Transfer to bowl and add rice.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Cool completely.
• Butter a large baking sheet.
• Roll out 1 puff pastry sheet on a floured surface to 12" square size.
• Cut into 4 equal squares.
• Divide rice mixture among centers of squares, mounding in oval shape with ends toward 2 corners of pastry.
• Set salmon on top of rice.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Bring pastry corners up around salmon (pastry will not enclose salmon completely).
• Roll out remaining pastry sheet on a floured surface to 13" square size.
• Cut into 4 equal squares.
• Lay 1 square atop each salmon fillet, tucking corners under bottom pastry to enclose salmon completely.
• Pinch edges together to seal (brush with egg mixture if necessary to help it adhere).
• Arrange salmon packages, seam side down, on prepared baking sheet.
• Cover and chill 30 minutes.
• (Can be made up to 8 hours ahead-- Keep chilled).
• Preheat oven to 400°.
• Brush top of pastry with egg mixture.
• Bake until golden and thermometer inserted into fish registers 145°-- about 30 minutes.
• For Dill Sauce: Combine clam juice and wine in heavy small non-aluminum saucepan.
• Boil until reduced to 1/3 cup-- about 9 minutes.
• Reduce heat to medium.
• Whisk in Crème Fraîche.
• Boil until reduced to 1 cup-- about 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat, stir in dill and season with salt and pepper.
• Transfer salmon packages to plates.
• Spoon Dill Sauce around, and serve.
• Note: If crème fraiche is unavailable, heat 1 1/4 cup whipping cream to lukewarm (85°).
• Remove from heat and mix in 2 1/4 tablespoons buttermilk.
• Cover and let stand in warm draft-free area until slightly thickened (24 to 48 hours, depending on the temperature of the room).
• Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Enjoy!