Salmon and Spinach in Puff Pastry

This recipe started out as a picture in a magazine.  It showed a curved fish in puff pastry.  The item could be ordered and was described as salmon and spinach in puff pastry.  Our friend Jim was coming for a visit and he loves salmon.  I thought I can make this as I have that very mold.  Apparently that mold was one of the many kitchen items I gave away.  In the mean time I found in Epicurious a 2005 recipe for Salmon and Spinach Roll in a Puff Pastry by Katie Brown.  It was an appetizer, but I used it as the basis for the following recipe.  

Ingredients:

1 package puff pastry (2 sheets)

1 T fresh parsley, chopped

1 T fresh thyme, chopped

4 T butter

½ shallot, chopped

1 ½ C frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained (use 2 boxes or one bag)

3 -8oz. salmon filets

Salt and pepper

Egg wash of 1 egg and 1 t water

Directions:

1.       Drain and squeeze the spinach until very dry.  In a skillet, melt the butter and cook the shallot until translucent.  Add the spinach to the pan and cook until warm, adding salt and pepper. 

2.       Place one sheet of puff pastry on a parchment lined baking pan.  Sprinkle the pastry with the thyme and parsley.  Place the 3 fillets on the pastry leaving at least a 3” border.  Trim the fillets to a square, placing any scraps on top of the fillets.

3.       Mound the cooled spinach mixture on the fillets taking it to the edges of the fillet. 

4.       Paint egg wash all around the exposed edge of pastry and place the second sheet of pastry on top.  Stretch the upper sheet to fit over the entire filling and extend a little beyond the exposed edge.  Tuck under and all around the pastry take a fork and press the edges together tightly. 

5.       I made some decorative slits in the top and then brushed the entire pastry with the egg wash. 

6.       This can be made to this point earlier in the day.  When ready to serve, heat the oven to 350 degrees and bake for 45 minutes. 

This recipe made 6 generous servings.  I served it with a salad as the first course and we had had drinks and appetizers.  No it was not fish shaped, but with just a little more energy, it could be done without the mold.