Preparation:
In a small saucepan, combine the wine, basil, 3 tarragon sprigs, shallots, rosemary, lemon, and celery. Simmer the mixture for 20 minutes or until the liquid is reduced to about 3 Tbsp. Lay the salmon on a piece of heavy foil, twice as long as the fish.
Pick up edges of foil and pour the wine mixture over the fish. Season with salt and fold the foil to enclose it, crimping the edges tightly to secure them. Put the salmon on a large baking sheet or roasting pan and bake it in the middle of a preheated 375f oven for 50-60 minutes or until the fish just flakes. Transfer the package to a work surface, open foil carefully, and remove the skin from the top of the salmon below the head to the bottom of the salmon at the tail.
Scrape away any brown flesh, leaving head and tail intact. Drain liquid from the foil, and using the foil as a guide, invert the fish onto a platter. Remove foil and skin and prepare the other side of the salmon in the same manner.
Chill the fish, covered, overnight. Peel turnip and cut into thin slices. Trim each slice to reassemble a flower or cut with a flower cutter. Place in a bowl of ice water to hold until ready for use. Mash the egg yolk with the butter and reserve at room temperature. Spoon a thin coat of cool but liquid fish aspic over the salmon and arrange the additional tarragon sprigs and turnip flowers decoratively on the fish.
Spoon a thin coat of liquid aspic over the whole. Transfer the yolk mixture to a pastry bag fitted with a decorative tip. Pipe the mixture into the centers of the flowers.
Chill the salmon for at least 2 hours or up to 6 hours.
Serve surrounded with the chilled aspic, chopped. Garnish with fresh tarragon sprigs. |
