Salmon Potpies

• Recipe by John Snell

Ingredients

1. 14 ounces chilled all-butter puff pastry
2. 1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream
3. Two 8-ounce bottles of clam juice
4. 2 cups water
5. 1/2 pound tiny new potatoes, scrubbed
6. 1 1/2 pounds skinless salmon fillet, cut into 1-inch dice
7. 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
8. 2 tablespoons butter, softened
9. 1/4 pound thickly sliced bacon, cut into 1/4-inch dice
10. 1 medium onion, finely chopped
11. 1 pound celery root, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch dice
12. 3 tablespoons chopped dill
13. 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
14. 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
15. 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
16. Salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions

1.  1. Preheat the oven to 375°. Line a baking sheet with parchment. On a floured surface, roll out the puff pastry to a 13-by-16-inch rectangle. Using a 5-inch plate, cut out 6 rounds. Transfer to the baking sheet and brush with 2 tablespoons of the cream. Bake for 15 minutes.
2. In a large saucepan, boil the clam juice and water. Add the potatoes and cook until tender; transfer to a plate. Add the salmon and simmer gently for 4 minutes; transfer to a plate. Add the remaining 1 1/2 cups of cream and simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, until reduced to 3 cups, about 20 minutes. 
3. Blend the flour and butter; gradually whisk into the simmering sauce until smooth. Cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. 
4. In a large skillet, cook the bacon over low heat until crisp; transfer to a plate. Pour off all but 3 tablespoons of the fat. Add the onion and cook until softened. Add the celery root, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes. 
5. Stir the celery root, potatoes, bacon, dill, parsley, lemon juice and zest into the sauce; season with salt and pepper. Fold in the salmon and heat through. Spoon the stew into 1 1/4-cup bowls, top with the pastry puffs and serve.