Smoked Salmon Roulades

• servings: 16 servings
• active time: 50 minutes
• total time: 55 minutes

Ingredients

About 14 oz. thinly sliced smoked salmon,   trimmed on waxed paper into 6 rectangles,   each 6 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches, trimmings   reserved

2 tsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/4 cup bottled clam juice or fish broth

1 1/2 tsp. powdered gelatin

2 drops Tabasco or other hot-pepper sauce

1 drop Worcestershire sauce

1/2 cup chilled heavy cream

3 Tbs. wasabi tobiko or salmon roe

Directions

In a food processor, combine 1/4 cup of the salmon trimmings and the butter. Process just until blended, scraping down the sides of the bowl.

In a small saucepan, combine the clam juice and gelatin. Let stand for 5 minutes. Place the pan over low heat and stir just until the gelatin dissolves. Remove from the heat and stir in the Tabasco and Worcestershire sauces. Pour into the food processor with the salmon mixture and pulse 3 or 4 times, just to blend. Transfer to a large bowl.

Whip the cream until stiff peaks form. Add one-third of the whipped cream to the salmon mixture and gently fold together. Gently fold in the remaining cream just until no streaks remain. Cover and refrigerate for 10 minutes to allow the gelatin to begin setting.

Place a piece of plastic wrap slightly larger than a salmon rectangle on a work surface, and place a salmon rectangle on top, long side facing you. If necessary, patch with trimmings to make the correct-size rectangle. (Don't worry if there are a few gaps; these may be concealed with the caviar garnish.) Spoon about 3 Tbs. of the salmon mousse lengthwise across the center of the salmon. Using the plastic wrap, pull the edge of the salmon nearest you up and over the mousse and down in the back to meet the other edge. Twist the ends of the plastic to seal and pat into an even log. Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make 5 more rolls. Place all the rolls in the freezer for about 2 hours.

Remove from the freezer and let stand for 10 minutes. Remove the plastic and trim off the untidy ends. Slice the salmon rolls into rounds 3/4 inch thick and place on a platter. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes to finish thawing.

Place a generous 1/4 tsp. of the tobiko near the edge of each round and serve. Makes about 32 cold bites.