Salmon Mousse

Directions

1. 1
   Scald milk and set aside.
2. 2
   In a saucepan over low heat, melt 3 tablespoons butter.
3. 3
   Add flour to melted butter and cook, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon, 2 to 3 minutes, until the mixture is very thick.
4. 4
   Add the scalded milk, all at once, and beat with a wire whisk over low heat for 5 minutes more, until the bechamel is thick and smooth.
5. 5
   Add salt, pepper and cayenne, remove from heat and set aside to cool until lukewarm.
6. 6
   Skin and bone salmon meat and flake with a fork.
7. 7
   Cut remaining butter into chunks.
8. 8
   Add salmon and butter to bechamel and mix well, using an electric beater rather than a blender or processor.
9. 9
   Add cream and Cognac to salmon mixture and blend thoroughly.
10. 10
    Taste for seasoning, adding more salt, pepper or cayenne if necessary.
11. 11
    Refrigerate, covered, until the mixture has thickened sufficiently to allow piping through a pastry bag and tube - 2 to 3 hours, or overnight.
12. 12
    While the mixture is cooling, remove tops from tomatoes and scoop out flesh.
13. 13
    Stand tomatoes upside down on a rack to drain.
14. 14
    When the salmon mixture is ready, pipe it into the hollowed-out tomatoes and top with a few grains of red salmon roe.
15. 15
    Extra mousse can be served in a bowl topped with more roe.